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Eye of the Beholder

"I was introduced to the Global Homelessness and Poverty project last school year through my role as ETL for Richmond Elementary School.  As a class we explored the subject briefly, but did not feel that we did it justice.  I decided to explore the subject matter further this year as a precursor to the new social studies curriculum about to be introduced in Grade 5 this coming September.  Art has traditionally been a forum for introducing new ideas, and delivering messages…frequently misunderstood, but always, always engendering a reaction, be it positive or negative. There is a natural link between a culture and its means of representation.  As a strong believer in education of the individual, and using alternative methods of learning to meet individual needs, fine arts integration with curriculum is an excellent means of meeting individual learning styles and creating success for students who do not respond well to a more traditional approach to learning.  This project with all it’s possibilities became a necessity with all its potential for learning.

The piece I have chosen to submit represents my vision of a world free of poverty, hunger, disease, warfare, high mortality, low literacy, and increasing environmental concern.  I reflected back upon my own childhood and what was significant to me…..the family.  Surrounding and supporting my family was my extended family, friends and neighbours.  While I didn’t grow up in luxury….more the middle road, there was never a lack of anything, all my needs were met.  We worked together to make life better for each other…..child care, fresh garden produce, or taking in someone else’s mail while they were away.

Eye of the Beholder celebrates family, the joy of a new baby, a time when there is so much hope and expectation for the future and for global connectedness.  The baby is supported by a loving family, and by members of the extended family and the community which is in turn encompassed by the circle of life.  Within the circle of life one can see the races of man represented….black, white, yellow, and red.  The colour of man doesn’t really matter as each individual must recognize the issues that exist as global issues. Each one of us has created and contributed to the issues, and therefore share responsibility for reducing and eliminating the issues.   A change in perspective is what is necessary for us to achieve the goals proposed by the UN, hence my choosing to present from a bird’s eye viewpoint.  What we’ve been doing hasn’t been working, and radical change is necessary.  I chose to complete this piece using only pencil and paper because it is quite stark, just as the reality facing so many people across the world that live in poverty, fear, or suffer through hunger, and illness.  Hopefully the message inspired by this competition, and each piece submitted in some way furthers the cause of the Millennium Development Goals, and leads us all towards the middle path, to enlightenment, to a more perfect world."

Medium: Pencill
Name: Karen Alderson
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

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