TITLE: None
ARTIST: 8 year-old
PERIOD/PLACE OF IMAGE: Modern- Northeastern Pennsylvania
MEDIUM: Painting: Tempura
MEASUREMENT 8.5 x 11
DATE 2006
COUNTRY/SITE USA
SUMMARY: Abuse and neglect
DESCRIPTION:
Two figures preside on the paper, the figure on the right is of an extraterrestrial origin (alien hereafter), the alien is green in color and is slightly smaller than the figure on the left, and the alien figure clearly exhibits mean and aggressive features in its face. The alien is naked and has no clothes except for its green sheen on its skin; it has no hair or any other adornments. There is no distinction in gender; facial features are painted in black. In its hand it holds what is seen to be a weapon, which is in the shape of a gun (raygun), the gun is red in color and is pointed and firing on the figure on the left, there is obvious blood from a wound which is red in color, there is one dot of red on the green alien body. The figure on the right is slightly larger than the alien and is mostly painted in black color with the exception of the top hat on its head which is gray in color. There are only eyes in the black figure, there is no mouth or nose, extremities are slightly exaggerated, and the figure on the left seems to be holding to black objects, which are in the shape of rods. The black figure on the left has an obvious wound in its neck from which it is bleeding; the blood is red in color.
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
Culturally, we can examine this painting in a few ways, but what is presented here in this picture seems to be of a threatening nature, one that is out to hurt us, destroy us or cause us pain and suffering. The fact that this “alien figure” takes on this role of punisher and destroyer is quite interesting, it seems indicative of the media portrayal of the “alien” or other-worldly creature that comes to earth to inflict pain on the human species, the fact that this child chose this context to examine these emotions seems to me to be descriptive of the worry that is expressed by the larger culture: the destroyer that comes from the sky, the unknown one, the all-powerful to who we must submit is quite a scary revelation. It also underscores our insignificance in the larger context and also examines our weakness as a species, we have been taught that we here on earth are the only ones, but what if we are not the only ones, no longer the masters of our world, no longer the all-powerful humans. There is also the notion of where this being comes from; the alien is described as coming from the sky, the eternal abode, and the heavens above our head. This may manifest as a complex with the notion that god is destroyed, if god is destroyed than what do we have, our power, it is taught, comes from an all-powerful deity, that usually resides somewhere up above us, to me, this picture seems to destroy that notion of safety and leaves us with a feeling of vulnerability. One last thought of importance, and one to stimulate some ideas, does this piece of art depict the notion that we feel disconnected to the life around us, we as a people are becoming more like islands out in the sea, vast distances are separating us psychologically from each other, does this picture display that notion of receding into ourselves and away from our fellow people?
CULTURAL COMPLEX
There is a prevailing notion that there is a perceivable threat to our supposed specialty to our place in the universe. We, as a species like to hug the notion that we are special and that there is just us, that we are masters of our life, and that we control all the aspects of that life.
What is “accepted” in the complex?
It is “accepted” that at the core of our psyche, we hold some dissonance with the fact that we are not always in control with our fate and our lives, that there are “things” that we cannot control and at times must succumb to these “things” in our lives. As a species we are holding onto two competing thoughts, one is we are in control of our lives and all the things that happen within that life, the other competing thought is that we have very little control over what happens, death will take us one day, disease will affect our bodies, there will always be somebody stronger, faster, and more adept than we are. We are always vulnerable.
Why, as the species that is in control of our planet, our resources, and our destiny, do we have this incredible angst in our lives? Our offspring require some of the longest parenting and guidance periods of all the species on the earth, yet we are the ones “in control” of this floating body of rock. However at the core of our being there is the idea that perhaps we are not in as much control as we think, there are constants that consistently challenged this notion. Culturally, in this picture, it is exhibited that the object of aggression or opposition is an “alien” from space. Outer space, which is the deep, dark abyss, symbolically representing our deep unconscious and our internal fears, fears of weakness, being alone, not connected with the divine, perhaps this outer space is indeed just our inner space.
ARCHETYPAL CONTEXT
In an archetypal context this picture would represent in its purist form, a representation of the shadow or the trickster. We have the alien harming the individual on the left who has no control over what the shadow or trickster is doing; now it seems that as a symbol there are two forms this shadow or trickster can take. One is a physical form of another human being or some internal psychological construct that is set to cause us self harm. This shadow is the totality of the unconscious that we cannot access on a day to day basis; this shadow arguably holds much of our primal nature, our issues, and our aggressions. Taking the notion that this shadow can have both a physical form, what form would this be? In this particular case the 8 year-old boy was traumatized by abuse and neglect by his biological mother, his biological mother played a large part in occupying his shadow/trickster. The shadow part here is externalized into a safe, universal object of fear, the alien, as told to us by Hollywood and the cultural media, Jung wrote that everyone carries a shadow, all of us; every human being carries a shadow. The shadow is not always seen, sometimes it is hidden, but we all have a similar picture in our psyche, like this one the 8 year-old boy painted, The only substance which cancels out the shadow for a short time is the “light” or the “numinous”, but then it is only out of sight for a time, The shadow becomes our friend, an important part of us. A part that we must integrate into our whole, we have to learn from our shadow to become its master, We have a strong desire to control those dark parts of ourselves, but only by embracing them can we overcome them
QUESTIONS RAISED
As a species, are we becoming more distant from each other? Is there a desire or fear of connecting with the divine? Do we feel threatened by other people, if so, will we ever progress as a species to our next level of evolution?
ARTIST: 8 year-old
PERIOD/PLACE OF IMAGE: Modern- Northeastern Pennsylvania
MEDIUM: Painting: Tempura
MEASUREMENT 8.5 x 11
DATE 2006
COUNTRY/SITE USA
SUMMARY: Abuse and neglect
DESCRIPTION:
Two figures preside on the paper, the figure on the right is of an extraterrestrial origin (alien hereafter), the alien is green in color and is slightly smaller than the figure on the left, and the alien figure clearly exhibits mean and aggressive features in its face. The alien is naked and has no clothes except for its green sheen on its skin; it has no hair or any other adornments. There is no distinction in gender; facial features are painted in black. In its hand it holds what is seen to be a weapon, which is in the shape of a gun (raygun), the gun is red in color and is pointed and firing on the figure on the left, there is obvious blood from a wound which is red in color, there is one dot of red on the green alien body. The figure on the right is slightly larger than the alien and is mostly painted in black color with the exception of the top hat on its head which is gray in color. There are only eyes in the black figure, there is no mouth or nose, extremities are slightly exaggerated, and the figure on the left seems to be holding to black objects, which are in the shape of rods. The black figure on the left has an obvious wound in its neck from which it is bleeding; the blood is red in color.
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
Culturally, we can examine this painting in a few ways, but what is presented here in this picture seems to be of a threatening nature, one that is out to hurt us, destroy us or cause us pain and suffering. The fact that this “alien figure” takes on this role of punisher and destroyer is quite interesting, it seems indicative of the media portrayal of the “alien” or other-worldly creature that comes to earth to inflict pain on the human species, the fact that this child chose this context to examine these emotions seems to me to be descriptive of the worry that is expressed by the larger culture: the destroyer that comes from the sky, the unknown one, the all-powerful to who we must submit is quite a scary revelation. It also underscores our insignificance in the larger context and also examines our weakness as a species, we have been taught that we here on earth are the only ones, but what if we are not the only ones, no longer the masters of our world, no longer the all-powerful humans. There is also the notion of where this being comes from; the alien is described as coming from the sky, the eternal abode, and the heavens above our head. This may manifest as a complex with the notion that god is destroyed, if god is destroyed than what do we have, our power, it is taught, comes from an all-powerful deity, that usually resides somewhere up above us, to me, this picture seems to destroy that notion of safety and leaves us with a feeling of vulnerability. One last thought of importance, and one to stimulate some ideas, does this piece of art depict the notion that we feel disconnected to the life around us, we as a people are becoming more like islands out in the sea, vast distances are separating us psychologically from each other, does this picture display that notion of receding into ourselves and away from our fellow people?
CULTURAL COMPLEX
There is a prevailing notion that there is a perceivable threat to our supposed specialty to our place in the universe. We, as a species like to hug the notion that we are special and that there is just us, that we are masters of our life, and that we control all the aspects of that life.
What is “accepted” in the complex?
It is “accepted” that at the core of our psyche, we hold some dissonance with the fact that we are not always in control with our fate and our lives, that there are “things” that we cannot control and at times must succumb to these “things” in our lives. As a species we are holding onto two competing thoughts, one is we are in control of our lives and all the things that happen within that life, the other competing thought is that we have very little control over what happens, death will take us one day, disease will affect our bodies, there will always be somebody stronger, faster, and more adept than we are. We are always vulnerable.
Why, as the species that is in control of our planet, our resources, and our destiny, do we have this incredible angst in our lives? Our offspring require some of the longest parenting and guidance periods of all the species on the earth, yet we are the ones “in control” of this floating body of rock. However at the core of our being there is the idea that perhaps we are not in as much control as we think, there are constants that consistently challenged this notion. Culturally, in this picture, it is exhibited that the object of aggression or opposition is an “alien” from space. Outer space, which is the deep, dark abyss, symbolically representing our deep unconscious and our internal fears, fears of weakness, being alone, not connected with the divine, perhaps this outer space is indeed just our inner space.
ARCHETYPAL CONTEXT
In an archetypal context this picture would represent in its purist form, a representation of the shadow or the trickster. We have the alien harming the individual on the left who has no control over what the shadow or trickster is doing; now it seems that as a symbol there are two forms this shadow or trickster can take. One is a physical form of another human being or some internal psychological construct that is set to cause us self harm. This shadow is the totality of the unconscious that we cannot access on a day to day basis; this shadow arguably holds much of our primal nature, our issues, and our aggressions. Taking the notion that this shadow can have both a physical form, what form would this be? In this particular case the 8 year-old boy was traumatized by abuse and neglect by his biological mother, his biological mother played a large part in occupying his shadow/trickster. The shadow part here is externalized into a safe, universal object of fear, the alien, as told to us by Hollywood and the cultural media, Jung wrote that everyone carries a shadow, all of us; every human being carries a shadow. The shadow is not always seen, sometimes it is hidden, but we all have a similar picture in our psyche, like this one the 8 year-old boy painted, The only substance which cancels out the shadow for a short time is the “light” or the “numinous”, but then it is only out of sight for a time, The shadow becomes our friend, an important part of us. A part that we must integrate into our whole, we have to learn from our shadow to become its master, We have a strong desire to control those dark parts of ourselves, but only by embracing them can we overcome them
QUESTIONS RAISED
As a species, are we becoming more distant from each other? Is there a desire or fear of connecting with the divine? Do we feel threatened by other people, if so, will we ever progress as a species to our next level of evolution?
TITLE: None
ARTIST:
PERIOD/PLACE OF IMAGE: 21th Century- Northeastern Pennsylvania
MEDIUM: Tempura on Paper
MEASUREMENT 8.5 x 11
DATE 2009
COUNTRY/SITE USA
SUMMARY: Depression
DESCRIPTION:
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
CULTURAL COMPLEX
What is “accepted” in the complex?
ARCHETYPAL CONTEXT
QUESTIONS RAISED
ARTIST:
PERIOD/PLACE OF IMAGE: 21th Century- Northeastern Pennsylvania
MEDIUM: Tempura on Paper
MEASUREMENT 8.5 x 11
DATE 2009
COUNTRY/SITE USA
SUMMARY: Depression
DESCRIPTION:
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
CULTURAL COMPLEX
What is “accepted” in the complex?
ARCHETYPAL CONTEXT
QUESTIONS RAISED
TITLE: None
ARTIST:
PERIOD/PLACE OF IMAGE: 21th Century- Northeastern Pennsylvania
MEDIUM: Tempura on Paper
MEASUREMENT 8.5 x 11
DATE 2009
COUNTRY/SITE USA
SUMMARY: Depression
DESCRIPTION:
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
CULTURAL COMPLEX
What is “accepted” in the complex?
ARCHETYPAL CONTEXT
QUESTIONS RAISED
ARTIST:
PERIOD/PLACE OF IMAGE: 21th Century- Northeastern Pennsylvania
MEDIUM: Tempura on Paper
MEASUREMENT 8.5 x 11
DATE 2009
COUNTRY/SITE USA
SUMMARY: Depression
DESCRIPTION:
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
CULTURAL COMPLEX
What is “accepted” in the complex?
ARCHETYPAL CONTEXT
QUESTIONS RAISED
TITLE: None
ARTIST:
PERIOD/PLACE OF IMAGE: 21th Century- Northeastern Pennsylvania
MEDIUM: Tempura on Paper
MEASUREMENT 8.5 x 11
DATE 2009
COUNTRY/SITE USA
SUMMARY: Depression
DESCRIPTION:
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
CULTURAL COMPLEX
What is “accepted” in the complex?
ARCHETYPAL CONTEXT
QUESTIONS RAISED
ARTIST:
PERIOD/PLACE OF IMAGE: 21th Century- Northeastern Pennsylvania
MEDIUM: Tempura on Paper
MEASUREMENT 8.5 x 11
DATE 2009
COUNTRY/SITE USA
SUMMARY: Depression
DESCRIPTION:
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
CULTURAL COMPLEX
What is “accepted” in the complex?
ARCHETYPAL CONTEXT
QUESTIONS RAISED
TITLE: When Lightning Strikes
ARTIST: 11 year-old
PERIOD/PLACE OF IMAGE: 21th Century- Northeastern Pennsylvania
MEDIUM: Marker on paper
MEASUREMENT 8.5 x 11
DATE 2013
COUNTRY/SITE USA
SUMMARY: Drug Addiction within family
DESCRIPTION:
A house resides on the land, the house in on fire, you can see smoke coming from the roof, the fire was started by the lightning bolt that came from the sky. In the sky there appears to be storm that is occurring with rain falling over the land, there is an umbrella that is blocking some of the rain, but is not covering the house, there is a heart in red at the bottom of the paper.
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
The title of this picture that the child gave it when finished was "when lightning strikes”, however during this time I thought a better title would be "when the needle strikes", however the title is symbolically appropriate and was kept with respect to the child. Culturally, this picture deals with rampant drug abuse within the family, and the picture is descriptive with what usually happens when there is drug abuse in the family. There is storm, an upheaval that occurs with substance abuse, which diminishes the importance of the notion of family. The lighting strike that we see is the administering of the drug by intravenous access, it seems appropriate to symbolically represent the needle as lightning coming from the sky as addicts spend their time using drugs to escape human bondage and suffering and seek the "high" or escape from the drug. Drug use is ruining the family structure, the homes where families and children find safety, soft drug use in other cultures was sometimes used spiritually or religiously, however in the western culture it is used primarily as a party mechanism or an escape function from suffering. When we speak of drug abuse we speak of hard drugs, such as heroin and crack, even the words used to describe these drugs lead one on an insight into either their function or effects. Heroin become hero-in, the street slang for crack describes what it does to ones life.
CULTURAL COMPLEX
What is “accepted” in the complex?
ARCHETYPAL CONTEXT
QUESTIONS RAISED
ARTIST: 11 year-old
PERIOD/PLACE OF IMAGE: 21th Century- Northeastern Pennsylvania
MEDIUM: Marker on paper
MEASUREMENT 8.5 x 11
DATE 2013
COUNTRY/SITE USA
SUMMARY: Drug Addiction within family
DESCRIPTION:
A house resides on the land, the house in on fire, you can see smoke coming from the roof, the fire was started by the lightning bolt that came from the sky. In the sky there appears to be storm that is occurring with rain falling over the land, there is an umbrella that is blocking some of the rain, but is not covering the house, there is a heart in red at the bottom of the paper.
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
The title of this picture that the child gave it when finished was "when lightning strikes”, however during this time I thought a better title would be "when the needle strikes", however the title is symbolically appropriate and was kept with respect to the child. Culturally, this picture deals with rampant drug abuse within the family, and the picture is descriptive with what usually happens when there is drug abuse in the family. There is storm, an upheaval that occurs with substance abuse, which diminishes the importance of the notion of family. The lighting strike that we see is the administering of the drug by intravenous access, it seems appropriate to symbolically represent the needle as lightning coming from the sky as addicts spend their time using drugs to escape human bondage and suffering and seek the "high" or escape from the drug. Drug use is ruining the family structure, the homes where families and children find safety, soft drug use in other cultures was sometimes used spiritually or religiously, however in the western culture it is used primarily as a party mechanism or an escape function from suffering. When we speak of drug abuse we speak of hard drugs, such as heroin and crack, even the words used to describe these drugs lead one on an insight into either their function or effects. Heroin become hero-in, the street slang for crack describes what it does to ones life.
CULTURAL COMPLEX
What is “accepted” in the complex?
ARCHETYPAL CONTEXT
QUESTIONS RAISED
TITLE: None
ARTIST:
PERIOD/PLACE OF IMAGE: 21th Century- Northeastern Pennsylvania
MEDIUM: Colored Pencil on Paper
MEASUREMENT 8.5 x 11
DATE 2009
COUNTRY/SITE USA
SUMMARY: Depression
DESCRIPTION:
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
CULTURAL COMPLEX
What is “accepted” in the complex?
ARCHETYPAL CONTEXT
QUESTIONS RAISED
ARTIST:
PERIOD/PLACE OF IMAGE: 21th Century- Northeastern Pennsylvania
MEDIUM: Colored Pencil on Paper
MEASUREMENT 8.5 x 11
DATE 2009
COUNTRY/SITE USA
SUMMARY: Depression
DESCRIPTION:
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
CULTURAL COMPLEX
What is “accepted” in the complex?
ARCHETYPAL CONTEXT
QUESTIONS RAISED
TITLE: None
ARTIST: 9 year-old
PERIOD/PLACE OF IMAGE: 21th Century- Northeastern Pennsylvania
MEDIUM: Crayon on paper
MEASUREMENT 8.5 x 11
DATE 2008
COUNTRY/SITE USA
SUMMARY: Family Discord/Family Dysfunction
DESCRIPTION:
In this picture we see a house in a field of green, this house has multiple cracks in its structure, there are two people in this house, one is on the bottom floor, the other seems to be away in the attic, there is a larger figure throwing a ball towards the roof, there is a colorful promenade colored in the tip of the roof, above the house there are two lightning bolts in the blue sky coming towards the ground and house.
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
This picture yields the problem of the collapse of the family structure, both in the larger family and cultural context and in the interpersonal context. An emotional earthquake appears as though it has struck this house, what perhaps was once solid, providing a foundation for growth, but now has sustained much damage from the "emotional earthquake". There appears to be a lack of strength in the home, a lack of fortitude, the home is no longer the castle, which once shielded one from the "environment". One would be forced to agree that this is descriptive of the current problem in America and Western Europe, the divorce rate is nearly 60% in these developed countries, the family having sustained a devastating hit in its foundation. The family appears to no longer hold power for the young children of this age, instead it hold chaos, destruction and instability. The strong foundation that is needed is rife with instability and a lack of strength. Indeed many children are now seeking the family notion outside of their own family, children now seek this power of connection outside of the family. The strong foundation provides a firmament upon which we are supposed to grow, we are not fawns that walk seconds after being born, we are humans and we need firm ground and stability for many years until we can stand on our own. When the structure collapses we see a power struggle ensue between members of a family, members lose their place and their function.
CULTURAL COMPLEX
The cultural complex assumed here is the disintegration of the home and family structure, there are many children today who are forced to live in unstable, unstructured environments. The cracking of this structure is clearly evident when we see the high divorce rate and serial monogamy that is present in civilized states and countries, the earthquake strikes and cripples that which is needed most, strength, stability and character. Without these elements most children will grow up to repeat this process over and over again. this create a void where the family once was, an emptiness that the child will grow up with throughout their lives and this emptiness will invade and monopolize other aspects of their lives, it will hamper their own homes and family structure in the future.
What is “accepted” in the complex?
It is accepted that there is a disintegration occurring in society that is striking the most basic level, that of supplying stability and structure to young children and family members, the family seems to be dying in a sense, in its death throes, fighting for survival. However it does not seem to be winning this struggle, it seems that the more you look at current families the more you can see this change occurring at a more cultural level.
ARCHETYPAL CONTEXT
When we think strength or foundations, we tend to reflect on nature and use those symbols inherent in nature, the old oak tree or the rock that is stable across millennia. Nature is best example of structure and strength, it stands the test of time and force, with changes occurring slowly allowing for some adaptability to this change. One problem is that we are destroying the concept of nature and we tend to not want to learn from our surroundings but rather we tend to want to master our surroundings, exploiting them for our own personal and economics means. This disconnection from nature is hurting as at our deepest core and therefore hurting us and our psyche, naturally when we tend to hurt our core it sends ripples throughout our environment. The reality and culture we have built around is self-destructive as we are removed farther and farther from nature and our true environment, our teacher and our master. We have disregarded much of what is around us and tend to pay attention to the parts of culture that feed our most basic primal part of us, nature once taught control to its children, at times nature would put us in our place, we would be humbled by it magnificent presence.
QUESTIONS RAISED
What is causing the destruction of the stability of the family unit? How can we alter this destructive course that we are on? What are the future ramifications if we continue to destroy that which we need the most?
ARTIST: 9 year-old
PERIOD/PLACE OF IMAGE: 21th Century- Northeastern Pennsylvania
MEDIUM: Crayon on paper
MEASUREMENT 8.5 x 11
DATE 2008
COUNTRY/SITE USA
SUMMARY: Family Discord/Family Dysfunction
DESCRIPTION:
In this picture we see a house in a field of green, this house has multiple cracks in its structure, there are two people in this house, one is on the bottom floor, the other seems to be away in the attic, there is a larger figure throwing a ball towards the roof, there is a colorful promenade colored in the tip of the roof, above the house there are two lightning bolts in the blue sky coming towards the ground and house.
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
This picture yields the problem of the collapse of the family structure, both in the larger family and cultural context and in the interpersonal context. An emotional earthquake appears as though it has struck this house, what perhaps was once solid, providing a foundation for growth, but now has sustained much damage from the "emotional earthquake". There appears to be a lack of strength in the home, a lack of fortitude, the home is no longer the castle, which once shielded one from the "environment". One would be forced to agree that this is descriptive of the current problem in America and Western Europe, the divorce rate is nearly 60% in these developed countries, the family having sustained a devastating hit in its foundation. The family appears to no longer hold power for the young children of this age, instead it hold chaos, destruction and instability. The strong foundation that is needed is rife with instability and a lack of strength. Indeed many children are now seeking the family notion outside of their own family, children now seek this power of connection outside of the family. The strong foundation provides a firmament upon which we are supposed to grow, we are not fawns that walk seconds after being born, we are humans and we need firm ground and stability for many years until we can stand on our own. When the structure collapses we see a power struggle ensue between members of a family, members lose their place and their function.
CULTURAL COMPLEX
The cultural complex assumed here is the disintegration of the home and family structure, there are many children today who are forced to live in unstable, unstructured environments. The cracking of this structure is clearly evident when we see the high divorce rate and serial monogamy that is present in civilized states and countries, the earthquake strikes and cripples that which is needed most, strength, stability and character. Without these elements most children will grow up to repeat this process over and over again. this create a void where the family once was, an emptiness that the child will grow up with throughout their lives and this emptiness will invade and monopolize other aspects of their lives, it will hamper their own homes and family structure in the future.
What is “accepted” in the complex?
It is accepted that there is a disintegration occurring in society that is striking the most basic level, that of supplying stability and structure to young children and family members, the family seems to be dying in a sense, in its death throes, fighting for survival. However it does not seem to be winning this struggle, it seems that the more you look at current families the more you can see this change occurring at a more cultural level.
ARCHETYPAL CONTEXT
When we think strength or foundations, we tend to reflect on nature and use those symbols inherent in nature, the old oak tree or the rock that is stable across millennia. Nature is best example of structure and strength, it stands the test of time and force, with changes occurring slowly allowing for some adaptability to this change. One problem is that we are destroying the concept of nature and we tend to not want to learn from our surroundings but rather we tend to want to master our surroundings, exploiting them for our own personal and economics means. This disconnection from nature is hurting as at our deepest core and therefore hurting us and our psyche, naturally when we tend to hurt our core it sends ripples throughout our environment. The reality and culture we have built around is self-destructive as we are removed farther and farther from nature and our true environment, our teacher and our master. We have disregarded much of what is around us and tend to pay attention to the parts of culture that feed our most basic primal part of us, nature once taught control to its children, at times nature would put us in our place, we would be humbled by it magnificent presence.
QUESTIONS RAISED
What is causing the destruction of the stability of the family unit? How can we alter this destructive course that we are on? What are the future ramifications if we continue to destroy that which we need the most?
ARTIST: 9 year-old
PERIOD/PLACE OF IMAGE: 21th Century- Northeastern Pennsylvania
MEDIUM: Pen on Paper
MEASUREMENT 8.5 x 11
DATE 2008
COUNTRY/SITE USA
SUMMARY: Family Discord/Family Dysfunction
DESCRIPTION:
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
CULTURAL COMPLEX
What is “accepted” in the complex?
ARCHETYPAL CONTEXT
QUESTIONS RAISED
PERIOD/PLACE OF IMAGE: 21th Century- Northeastern Pennsylvania
MEDIUM: Pen on Paper
MEASUREMENT 8.5 x 11
DATE 2008
COUNTRY/SITE USA
SUMMARY: Family Discord/Family Dysfunction
DESCRIPTION:
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
CULTURAL COMPLEX
What is “accepted” in the complex?
ARCHETYPAL CONTEXT
QUESTIONS RAISED
TITLE: None
ARTIST:
PERIOD/PLACE OF IMAGE: 21th Century- Northeastern Pennsylvania
MEDIUM: Pen on Paper
MEASUREMENT 8.5 x 11
DATE 2009
COUNTRY/SITE USA
SUMMARY: Depression
DESCRIPTION:
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
CULTURAL COMPLEX
What is “accepted” in the complex?
ARCHETYPAL CONTEXT
QUESTIONS RAISED
ARTIST:
PERIOD/PLACE OF IMAGE: 21th Century- Northeastern Pennsylvania
MEDIUM: Pen on Paper
MEASUREMENT 8.5 x 11
DATE 2009
COUNTRY/SITE USA
SUMMARY: Depression
DESCRIPTION:
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
CULTURAL COMPLEX
What is “accepted” in the complex?
ARCHETYPAL CONTEXT
QUESTIONS RAISED
TITLE: None
ARTIST:
PERIOD/PLACE OF IMAGE: 21th Century- Northeastern Pennsylvania
MEDIUM: Crayon on Paper
MEASUREMENT 8.5 x 11
DATE 2009
COUNTRY/SITE USA
SUMMARY: Depression
DESCRIPTION:
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
CULTURAL COMPLEX
What is “accepted” in the complex?
ARCHETYPAL CONTEXT
QUESTIONS RAISED
ARTIST:
PERIOD/PLACE OF IMAGE: 21th Century- Northeastern Pennsylvania
MEDIUM: Crayon on Paper
MEASUREMENT 8.5 x 11
DATE 2009
COUNTRY/SITE USA
SUMMARY: Depression
DESCRIPTION:
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
CULTURAL COMPLEX
What is “accepted” in the complex?
ARCHETYPAL CONTEXT
QUESTIONS RAISED
TITLE: None
ARTIST: 12 year-old
PERIOD/PLACE OF IMAGE: 21th Century- Northeastern Pennsylvania
MEDIUM: Pencil on paper
MEASUREMENT 8.5 x 11
DATE 2009
COUNTRY/SITE USA
SUMMARY: Depression
DESCRIPTION:
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
CULTURAL COMPLEX
What is “accepted” in the complex?
ARCHETYPAL CONTEXT
QUESTIONS RAISED
ARTIST: 12 year-old
PERIOD/PLACE OF IMAGE: 21th Century- Northeastern Pennsylvania
MEDIUM: Pencil on paper
MEASUREMENT 8.5 x 11
DATE 2009
COUNTRY/SITE USA
SUMMARY: Depression
DESCRIPTION:
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
CULTURAL COMPLEX
What is “accepted” in the complex?
ARCHETYPAL CONTEXT
QUESTIONS RAISED
TITLE: None
ARTIST: 9 year-old
PERIOD/PLACE OF IMAGE: 21th Century- Northeastern Pennsylvania
MEDIUM: Crayon on paper
MEASUREMENT 8.5 x 11
DATE 2007
COUNTRY/SITE USA
SUMMARY: Depression
DESCRIPTION
A figure of a boy round in shape, no definitive shape characterized. Each side is characterized with specific compass points (North, South, east and West). No legs or arms can be seen, presumably the compass points North and East are the arms and South and West are the legs. The Boy has a startled look on his face with what appears to be somber in nature. The background is colored in blue going in all directions. With the internal organs of the boy colored in green with what appears to be an inner compass linking it to the compass points. Eyes, nose and mouth colored in red with teeth that appear to be large and green in colour. No genitalia and no hair or ears depicted.
CULTURAL CONTEXT
This painting can be examined as follows:
It can be deemed that the boy in the picture seems to be pulled in all directions and can be seen as confusing, hence confused at what is happening. Culturally with all that we are thrown at in the world today many feel that pull in different directions. We as a species are bombarded with socially accepted or socially unacceptable roles. We fit ourselves, our neighbors or loved ones in this role they should be in. “Socially Acceptable truths” are thrown at us from the time we enter this world and we adapt our behaviors and sometimes standards accordingly. Depending on which part of the globe we born on determines the roles we should play. What is acceptable in Pakistan is not accepted in the USA or acceptable in Africa it can be argued. So we dress, talk, walk, interact accordingly. As this little boy feels pulled in all directions as depicted in his painting, so do we as a culture. Kindness, Empathy, Love those are all traits we are born with. The lack of all those traits are what we learn, is this not a scary thought. Look into the eyes of a newborn, See the wonder and joy as it experiences life for the first time. Then look at a 2 Year old and see how unafraid they are of life. What a scary thought that we have unlearnt what we instinctively know to be true. The little boy seems startled and afraid of what is coming next as we seem startled and afraid of what the future holds.
Are we as a species been pulled in all directions, are we lost in the truth of ourselves and what we inherently are? Inside and out are we just randomly living our lives with no discernible direction?
CULTURAL COMPLEX
There is a saying I truly love: We live only once: False, We die only once, we live every day.
As a species we are complex, we like to think we are masters of our own destiny and in a sense that is true. However, to live in our truth, is that not what we are destined to do?
What is “accepted” in the complex?
To live in our truth: As above, so below: This simply means that as beautiful and diverse and magical and filled with wonder the universe is, so are we as a species. At the core of our being we are filled with complexity, wonder and diversity. Nothing can compare to it. We a complex network of energy and DNA making us unique. Societal norms keeps us in check, it creates a world where there is order and limits chaos, however somewhere the lines got blurred. We forgot how to empathize, love, even ourselves. We have become desensitized to the suffering of others and focus instead on the gains and corners of our own little paradise. We bombarded with media telling us how to look, act, who to treat as “gods” and what is acceptable. We've forgotten as a species who we really are.
Why do we as a species allow ourselves to be limited in this fashion? We clip the wings of our offspring, we tell them what measures intelligence and what does not, we, through our actions model behaviors that’s inherently not within us.
The picture represents a species been pulled in all directions, not knowing which direction to turn to. The startled look represents been unsure of the future or currents events we have to deal with on a daily basis. The painted blue background represents our inability to see beauty all around us and this leaves us psychologically scarred.
“As above, so below”
ARCHETYPAL CONTEXT
In an archetypal context this picture would represent in its purist form, a representation of insecurity, not living our truth.
The internal organs as well as the outer body seem to be pulled in all directions, psychologically representing not feeling whole and in control of what our circumstances are.
Not feeling human on one level. Nothing to hear with therefore no bad news, nothing to feel with therefore no arms, nothing to walk with, therefore no direction to take. No genitalia, therefore no inevitable reproduction of another in this all consuming world. No birds, clouds, colors to represent the wonder life have in store for us. Just a startled expression at what is coming next.
In this particular case the 9 year-old boy deserted by his father. The painting represents him not feeling wanted and abandoned. As depicted in him been pulled in all directions.
QUESTIONS RAISED
Are we living our truth? Will we ever really understand and remember the Divine nature we were born with? Do we let society dictate and clip our wings?
Summary Written by Melanie Prince
melany.kpi@gmail.com / melany@keyresources.co.za
ARTIST: 9 year-old
PERIOD/PLACE OF IMAGE: 21th Century- Northeastern Pennsylvania
MEDIUM: Crayon on paper
MEASUREMENT 8.5 x 11
DATE 2007
COUNTRY/SITE USA
SUMMARY: Depression
DESCRIPTION
A figure of a boy round in shape, no definitive shape characterized. Each side is characterized with specific compass points (North, South, east and West). No legs or arms can be seen, presumably the compass points North and East are the arms and South and West are the legs. The Boy has a startled look on his face with what appears to be somber in nature. The background is colored in blue going in all directions. With the internal organs of the boy colored in green with what appears to be an inner compass linking it to the compass points. Eyes, nose and mouth colored in red with teeth that appear to be large and green in colour. No genitalia and no hair or ears depicted.
CULTURAL CONTEXT
This painting can be examined as follows:
It can be deemed that the boy in the picture seems to be pulled in all directions and can be seen as confusing, hence confused at what is happening. Culturally with all that we are thrown at in the world today many feel that pull in different directions. We as a species are bombarded with socially accepted or socially unacceptable roles. We fit ourselves, our neighbors or loved ones in this role they should be in. “Socially Acceptable truths” are thrown at us from the time we enter this world and we adapt our behaviors and sometimes standards accordingly. Depending on which part of the globe we born on determines the roles we should play. What is acceptable in Pakistan is not accepted in the USA or acceptable in Africa it can be argued. So we dress, talk, walk, interact accordingly. As this little boy feels pulled in all directions as depicted in his painting, so do we as a culture. Kindness, Empathy, Love those are all traits we are born with. The lack of all those traits are what we learn, is this not a scary thought. Look into the eyes of a newborn, See the wonder and joy as it experiences life for the first time. Then look at a 2 Year old and see how unafraid they are of life. What a scary thought that we have unlearnt what we instinctively know to be true. The little boy seems startled and afraid of what is coming next as we seem startled and afraid of what the future holds.
Are we as a species been pulled in all directions, are we lost in the truth of ourselves and what we inherently are? Inside and out are we just randomly living our lives with no discernible direction?
CULTURAL COMPLEX
There is a saying I truly love: We live only once: False, We die only once, we live every day.
As a species we are complex, we like to think we are masters of our own destiny and in a sense that is true. However, to live in our truth, is that not what we are destined to do?
What is “accepted” in the complex?
To live in our truth: As above, so below: This simply means that as beautiful and diverse and magical and filled with wonder the universe is, so are we as a species. At the core of our being we are filled with complexity, wonder and diversity. Nothing can compare to it. We a complex network of energy and DNA making us unique. Societal norms keeps us in check, it creates a world where there is order and limits chaos, however somewhere the lines got blurred. We forgot how to empathize, love, even ourselves. We have become desensitized to the suffering of others and focus instead on the gains and corners of our own little paradise. We bombarded with media telling us how to look, act, who to treat as “gods” and what is acceptable. We've forgotten as a species who we really are.
Why do we as a species allow ourselves to be limited in this fashion? We clip the wings of our offspring, we tell them what measures intelligence and what does not, we, through our actions model behaviors that’s inherently not within us.
The picture represents a species been pulled in all directions, not knowing which direction to turn to. The startled look represents been unsure of the future or currents events we have to deal with on a daily basis. The painted blue background represents our inability to see beauty all around us and this leaves us psychologically scarred.
“As above, so below”
ARCHETYPAL CONTEXT
In an archetypal context this picture would represent in its purist form, a representation of insecurity, not living our truth.
The internal organs as well as the outer body seem to be pulled in all directions, psychologically representing not feeling whole and in control of what our circumstances are.
Not feeling human on one level. Nothing to hear with therefore no bad news, nothing to feel with therefore no arms, nothing to walk with, therefore no direction to take. No genitalia, therefore no inevitable reproduction of another in this all consuming world. No birds, clouds, colors to represent the wonder life have in store for us. Just a startled expression at what is coming next.
In this particular case the 9 year-old boy deserted by his father. The painting represents him not feeling wanted and abandoned. As depicted in him been pulled in all directions.
QUESTIONS RAISED
Are we living our truth? Will we ever really understand and remember the Divine nature we were born with? Do we let society dictate and clip our wings?
Summary Written by Melanie Prince
melany.kpi@gmail.com / melany@keyresources.co.za
TITLE: None
ARTIST:
PERIOD/PLACE OF IMAGE: 21th Century- Northeastern Pennsylvania
MEDIUM: Tempura on Paper
MEASUREMENT 8.5 x 11
DATE 2009
COUNTRY/SITE USA
SUMMARY: Depression
DESCRIPTION:
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
CULTURAL COMPLEX
What is “accepted” in the complex?
ARCHETYPAL CONTEXT
QUESTIONS RAISED
ARTIST:
PERIOD/PLACE OF IMAGE: 21th Century- Northeastern Pennsylvania
MEDIUM: Tempura on Paper
MEASUREMENT 8.5 x 11
DATE 2009
COUNTRY/SITE USA
SUMMARY: Depression
DESCRIPTION:
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
CULTURAL COMPLEX
What is “accepted” in the complex?
ARCHETYPAL CONTEXT
QUESTIONS RAISED
TITLE: None
ARTIST:
PERIOD/PLACE OF IMAGE: 21th Century- Northeastern Pennsylvania
MEDIUM: Marker on Paper
MEASUREMENT 8.5 x 11
DATE 2009
COUNTRY/SITE USA
SUMMARY: Depression
DESCRIPTION:
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
CULTURAL COMPLEX
What is “accepted” in the complex?
ARCHETYPAL CONTEXT
QUESTIONS RAISED
ARTIST:
PERIOD/PLACE OF IMAGE: 21th Century- Northeastern Pennsylvania
MEDIUM: Marker on Paper
MEASUREMENT 8.5 x 11
DATE 2009
COUNTRY/SITE USA
SUMMARY: Depression
DESCRIPTION:
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
CULTURAL COMPLEX
What is “accepted” in the complex?
ARCHETYPAL CONTEXT
QUESTIONS RAISED