Rejection = Redirection

Skagaströnd in the snow- these lights inspired many paper artworks in my exhibition

Last month I had four application rejections. However, I no longer take this to heart. Rejection = Redirection as a friend once said.

Fortunately I already had a plan B and C to keep me going. I look at these alternative plans and bless them for I have been able to focus on what I really want to put my energy into, although I didn’t know it at the time.

This redirection has meant not only an exhibition which is allowing me room to be really creative and experimental, but also an opportunity to create a live event focusing on world peace.

My Iceland exhibition Fire & Ice will be opening on September 30 at The Field, Murwillumbah. It will comprise a wild mix of paper artworks, sculptural hangings, and photographs as well as some ceramic light holders. Some of the paper artworks are large, some small and the intimate gallery space is perfect for this mix.

I also plan to mark the anniversary of my trip to Iceland with a peace activation ceremony on October 9th to coincide with the annual lighting of the Imagine Peace Tower just out of Reykjavik, Iceland. We have even lined up a chorister to lead us in singing John Lennon’s Imagine. It is going to be emotional, heartfelt and intentional as we focus on bringing peace within ourselves and out into the greater world, especially in these troubled times.

Plan Bs lead you into unchartered waters but they are worth the risk. They allow you to rethink the cosy direction you might have felt you should take and challenge you to grow. I bless this planning as it gives me the freedom to think outside conventional paths. It’s all about the WHAT IF - a great place to start any creative conversation.

Holding the light. The Imagine Peace Tower light lit behind me October 2019.