John D Bailey
“
Art is not a pastime, but a priesthood.” -unknown
For many years, my life has been consumed with questions. I have searched
through numerous books, conversed with the wise, and still I know
nothing. It seems the closer I get to the answers, the more questions
arise.
There is, within me, a void or longing, that gnaws at my very being.
Thus far, this hunger has not been filled with anything found in this
world. The search for Money, Power, Fame, Success, only seem to numb
and cause me to forget my real pursuit…Truth. But there are times
when I remember my odyssey; these are the times when I am alive….awake.
Unfortunately, no matter how many times I continually remind myself
to awaken; I still forget and close my eyes. I use my artwork to stay
awake. I want to always be aware of this unquenchable thirst, even
though it is costly. Some call this the life of a tortured soul…I
would agree to a point, but I do not think it to be necessarily negative
in nature. My real comfort is found only in the pain of this stark
awareness.
My hope is that while my artwork serves as a journey of remembrance
for me, it might do the same for you. We need each other’s help
to stay awake. We have been desensitized and even unintentionally encourage
the sleep to take over, because it is easier not to think.
I am alone. I am alone until I meet someone on the street or in a
shop that knows of this hunger…and this then encourages me to
continue on and inspires me to open my eyes once again. I am grateful
for those brief interactions and welcome them as fuel for my soul.
I have studied art formally at Savannah College of Art and Design
and worked on a Master’s at Emmanuel School of Religion. It is
now time for me to include you in my pursuit, learn from you, ask you
questions. I want to be awake.
