Tensions
By Kim Craig | December 27, 2020
Archeologists often assemble ancient stones to tell a story of a civilization past. What will they tell of our empire? Will there be anything left to piece together?
I like to think about the rise and fall of ancient societies. What secrets can we learn from the ruins of old cities? In the past, pandemics have enabled people to forge ahead to build a better world. Is this current pandemic a portal to a new world? Can we leave our small mindedness, bigotries and injustices behind when it’s all over?
Kim Craig, Ancient Stones at Didyma, Mixed media on birch panel, 24″x24” 2020
If an archaeologist of the future were to try to piece together the present times based on art and artifacts, these two journal entries might provide some clues.
October 29, 2020. This week, tensions are rising. The people are voting. Across the US, the start of winter fills us with fear as each day the number of COVID-19 deaths grows. Added to that, the constant battering on our democracy has split America practically in two and social unrest spreads. Are we a nation of small-minded, cruel, racist and self-absorbed citizens? Is there hope for a kinder, united, more inclusive and just America? We decide. We vote.
Kim Craig, Tensions, Mixed media on birch panel, 24″x24” 2020
December 20. The winter solstice always comes with the promise that the next day will be brighter, but this year time has taken on a borderless quality. Is it Sunday? Or maybe Monday? Past and present and future collide.
Painting helps me give shape to time, which seems especially important now when the COVID-19 statistics are so grim and the future is so amorphous. Will this virus gallop on and on for many years? And when we finally emerge from it, is there any hope that our democracy will survive? In the end, all that we must know is that this darkest day always brings the promise of returning light.
Kim Craig, A Nation in Tatters, Mixed media on birch panel, 24″x24” 2020
Copyright © 2020 Kim Craig
Kim Craig is an American mixed media artist who has lived most of her life in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Her work is inspired by current social issues and relationships between diverse cultures. She is intrigued by the connections between past and present and, in order to make sense of the world we live in, her work frequently abstracts meaning from ancient cities and archeological sites in order to create contemporary stories. By imagining how we might look back at the past in the future, she hopes her work will tell a colorful and meaningful story of today.
Kim: I have followed your art on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kimcraigart/) and love ALL of it. I am happy to “hear your voice”, to read your thoughts associated with these interesting and captivating images.
Thanks for following ML!
Your work is strong, uncompromising.
Your reflections, thought provoking.
Thank you for finding the space to share your sentiments.
Thanks Betty! Let’s hope the new year is brighter!
Your images and statements speak volumes. I hope the answers to your questions will be a solid yes. That we can leave the darkness behind…
Thanks for reading my post Ellen. I love your positive outlook!
love the creative interplay and the energy created through your paintings and their descriptions .
Thanks GG . Your comment means alot!❤️