 The Artists Story
- by Jodi Mendlinger
>> View the Artist With Framed Auction Piece
Circle of Life: the Sunflower is an exhibition
of 10 prints that portray birth, life and death utilizing the
sunflower, known as Beauty, as the vehicle. This project was inspired
by a student of mine, who died of Ewing’s Sarcoma, a type of cancer
that attacks children and is rarely curable. The images that I draw
from suggest various moments in her life, as an infant, in youth, as a
young woman fighting cancer, and ultimately a victim. And, although it
is based on my student’s life, it is not just the one life I have
delved into. The works depict strength, perseverance, peace, joy,
triumph, love, defeat and other characteristics that could apply to
anyone. It is the circle of life and death of humankind.
There is a magnitude to life and living that is often overlooked,
just as there is the magnitude to death and dying that is often
overlooked. The loss of a life impacts humanity as a whole, however
the impact needs a bit of a twist. It would be unrealistic not to
mourn the loss, but it would be possible to think of it as the
completion of life’s cycle, which is to be celebrated.
Thus the story of Beauty ends. My paintings have allowed me the
opportunity to vent frustration, pain and the loss of a very dear
friend, yet at the same time celebrate her beauty and strength. I hope
I have created a visual healing for those who have lost, and a series
of inspirational images for those who are lucky enough not to have
experienced that facet of the Circle of Life.
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