Embracing Change

Recently I reacquainted myself with Pablo Picasso and his story.  Listed in the top ten of most popular visual artists of all time by most opinion pieces, his career spans 79 years and flows through 8 recognized periods including early works, the Blue Period, the Rose Period, the African Period, a study of Cubism, examination of Neoclassicism, works representing Surrealism, and lastly later work that embodied practices and elements of the preceding periods. Not only did his work evolve and change but he also explored various media throughout his career including painting, ceramics, sculpting, poetry, writing and even stage design. Born in 1894 his life ending in 1973; he left behind a glorious body of work that remain both inspiring and informative to modern day society.

Today, if an artist decided to take a similar path and change direction as often as Pablo had, friends

and advisors would most certainly take issue. Why? Pablo's seeming directionless career does not embody today’s emphasis on “branding”. Today, businesses (yes, artists are business people) need to have a clearly identifiable brand to be successful. Or so the mantra goes.  

The thing is; sticking to one singular identity inside a tidy box is not aligned with how we as humans or even nature itself work. Everything changes.  Change is constant. Like the ebb and flow of the tides. Like the shifting of sand in the wind. The only thing we can truly count on is that everything changes. And depending on where you are, that can either be terrifying or comforting.

Gandhi said; “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” I love that. Because it convinces us to take responsibly for our world and not leave it up to someone else to do.

Like all artists, Pablo’s work reflected his own change and the change of his world through all 79 years of his working life. As an artist, I choose to also embrace change, even when it’s scary; in the hopes that my small contribution can affect the change I want to see, in my world.