Hey friend, I’m so excited to share with you that I’ve started working on another series of artworks. I’m calling this series the Joy of Living. Oh you can’t possibly imagine how much joy it brings me to finally get the works in this series out into the world.
This has been a long time coming and I’m glad that I can begin sharing what I’ve been working on for so long. Here’s how this series started.
The Pandemic
Friend, I know you’re familiar with the devastation the pandemic caused all around the world. Beyond the death toll, isolation, and lockdown, it also led to so much uncertainty. Moreover, for me personally, it resulted in a lot of self-reflection.
When you’re constantly surrounded by death, news of death, and fear of death, it does something to your psyche. Let me tell you. My constant awareness of death and the possibility of death from the coronavirus, did something to me.
Death made me consider life.
Clara Nartey
Each time I saw the tally of how many had died from the virus, how many mass graves had to be dug to bury the dead, it made me question what the meaning of life is. When I thought about people not being able to kiss their loved ones goodbye, touch them or see their faces, I wondered.
Surrounded by so much death, I reflected on life. During this time, I also thought about my own mortality. Life seemed short. I pondered, I wondered and I contemplated about life. Although death was the instigator of my introspection, I couldn’t dwell only on death. I focused on life. Because I don’t know how it feels like to die but I know what it is like to live.
What is it like to live, though? Did I really know?
The Joy of Living
I concluded that to live, we must delight in simply being alive. We must delight that we get to do the things life affords us to do. The simple joys of everyday living. We get to do them only because we have life. So, I set out to capture the joy of living everyday life – the antithesis of death.
What defines death is life – the life we lived.
When we’re dead and gone, all that our loved ones hold on to and cherish are the memories of things that brought us joy. The places we went to that made us happy and the people with whom we surrounded ourselves. Yes, the belly laugh that made us double over. The slight smile from the corner of the lips. Dancing to music you barely know, yet you’re totally enjoying. Eating food that brings you comfort and puts a smile on your face.
So, I’m capturing all of them in this new series of works.
Life is fleeting. It’s a gift that’s made up of very teeny tiny moments of joy. Each one is so easily missed unless we intentionally pay attention. We miss a lot when we focus ahead instead of enjoying the present.
Life is in the present. Death is in the future.
Introducing a New Series
Therefore, may I present to you the Joy of Living – capturing the fleeting joys in everyday life.
Check out the works in the Joy of Living series:
Warmest regards,
Get behind the scenes and learn more about my art practice, events, exhibitions and release of new artworks
Also published on Medium.
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