A PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY - FOR THE SPIRIT
I feel like - the classic opening for someone who’s born under a Cancerian sun. I feel like Ramadan had already started for me. For the past few weeks, I had joined the many women across the globe, making up their fasts which were missed from the year before. And. in true fashion, I had left this to the 11th hour, like many other personal practices in life. The reason for this is, everything happens one step at a time. And, I am constantly, keeping myself in a state of being present, in the moment, for what the moment is. Which means my to-do list subjects only reach saturation when the item before the upcoming event is fulfilled. Or alternatively, when the second hand moves dangerously close to the follow up event. Meaning I turn to being pragmatic by multitasking 12 thoughts at once. I am more than aware, I start many sentences with the word ‘and’. Possibly as a means to continue the conversation, to join thoughts in my thinking. To not let the thread fail.
This continues within my creative process. The process, that is, which must happen when it feels right. Or when you can no longer escape what must be done. I often wonder if our internal moral compass has anything to do with, or can even intervene our hedonistic, self-indulged practices. Seemingly, absolutely harmless to any passerby. Which is in fact why so many of us fast in the first place. To control the mind and to know we all get fed throughout the day in one way or another.
I wonder if my art would look different if I hadn’t started making it during a global pandemic, now turned British recession. Would I have added more texture? Would I have been freer in my movement or my communication? Would I have piled on intention with little, or shorter thought? I forever feel I am pushing the pen closer to the image in my mind. Sure, I needn’t keep adding to my current works. And, when something is finished, there’s a familiar internal siren which echos. That of one your gut plays to a similar vibration where you understand the source of hunger. All matter, is divine matter and feeds into and around each other. I’d said something to this effect previously. This notion still plays on my mind.
For now, I’m thoroughly enjoying this moment and I can not wait for the month to officially begin. I’m soon to pack up my belongings and head to a grocery store. I saw a recipe for oyster mushroom shawarma with pickled red onions which I’d very much like to shred and pile into bread when sunset arrives. I may however, very much devour roast aubergine and preserved lemon tahini pasta in its stead.