🔴 NEW DIRECTION Ed. No. 1 / TIME FOR MORE SIMPLICITY IN OUR LIVES
LESS IS MORE
(2024 SULMAN PRIZE ENTRANT - ART GALLERY OF NSW)
“Gateway to Paradise” (Suburban Bungalow) [2022]
Artist: Neville Williams
Media: Acrylic, spray silver enamel, indelible and non-indelible inks,
lead pencil, charcoal on canvas (unframed)
Size: 120cm W x 100cm H
POA
Hit the red button to read the simple story behind this artwork:-
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SIMPLICITY IS DIVINE
A month or so back I decided to enter the up coming Sulman Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW (See painting above). All fine until I got to completing the entry form.
The rules and regulations required are becoming onerous.
The entry form is now something of an epistle.
Why are we making life so difficult for ourselves - all round?
For a goodly number of years earlier in my career I worked as the “Designer” with the Wales/Westpac. This role specifically was involved in agitating to encourage that Organisation to learn about clarity and simplicity and so evolve into a better contributing Corporate Citizen. This is also known as the study of “Corporate Identity”. And I'd like to feel after many years of experience with the subject that I’m not talking through my hat here. (See ADDENDUM below.)
I could write a treatise in this blog on at least three Government and Private Organisations and where they are going wrong but it would bore you to tears.
Let's put it this way in summary there are dead cultures that need sweeping away. And there are any number of so called Corporate Cultures that need a Spring clean…or a good enema.
When the individuals who make up the whole are not growing then it is time for change.
Why do too many live in some sort of frozen fear unwittingly making things more complex by holding on to the status quo? Is it that people are tied up protecting their fragile territories? This all contributes nothing to the smooth running of our society.
Perhaps too part of the problem is that our demands for what we want out of
'Our World' are becoming unrealistic under the banner of entitlement?
Whatever the reasons many need the encouragement to take an honest look in the mirror. It is all our responsibility to sift the wheat from the chaff.
I’ve talked about Steve Jobs before in these blogs. He was a man who tried to make the complex simple. He was customer orientated. He was also simplicity orientated. Of course there were those who didn’t like him. Creative Change makers will always incur the ire of those who want to hold onto the past or the status quo. Of course destructive change makers are disliked all the more and for good reason. Truth is whether good or bad the change makers are going to remove something to make way for something else. Ultimately it's what's behind the motivation that matters or has value.
A relevant question that always needs to be asked is... does any proposed change progress us as humane beings?
Real leaders always ask that bit more of people and sadly too many fall short of what is needed. I'm talking here about both leaders and those whom they lead.
The mediocre in our world will always be there needing encouragement.
Who’s perfect anyway?
We made the choices, the decisions that have made us who we are. Those who are the most "confusion active" are the ones who vehemently blame others for creating the mess. And it’s true people see in others what exists in themselves.
In short bringing about simplicity and clarity in our lives can be complicated and delicate work!
When you find those who can help create clarity treasure them. - NW
👋Celebrate yoo!
PIC: Robert Herriot
And thank yoo to Robert Herriot who I had never met before. I spontaneously met him on Oxford Street on the way to delivering this artwork by foot to the Art Gallery of NSW. He offered to give me a lift down to the Gallery in his car that co-incidentally accommodated the artwork quite comfortably! A very welcome, needed and appreciated offer on his part. There are kind and good people in this confused world we have created who still have the space in their lives to help out. Thank yoo Robert for your generosity of spirit.
2024 Sulman Prize
Art Gallery of NSW
8 June - 8 September, 2024
ADDENDUM
⏬ THANKING YOO FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
