I have weathered some interesting times over my career as an artist, including several UK recessions since the 80’s, but none quite as extraordinary as 2020, but then who has?

The usual cycle of my workflow across the year involves creating my sculpture, which then goes to my foundry for casting and back to me again for patination and finally exhibition, so the timeline between concept and finish can be four months at best. This year I had a busy schedule planned across some excellent exhibitions, art fairs and a solo show that I have been creating a body of work for over the past two years. Then we arrive at the crisis and lockdown.

Creativity for me has always been a healing and meditative practice that has helped me to develop an inner state of well-being and calmness, something that I value highly in order to fully explore and extract the best from myself and my work. This has steered my interests and research into many profound and fascinating subjects, including Taoism and Zen Buddhism. One of the principles of these philosophical approaches to life is called ‘Wu Wei’, which has a vast depth of meaning, but can literally be translated as ‘Going with the flow’… ‘The action of non-action’; Not creating further inner pain by resisting or fighting the difficult situations that inevitably challenge us all from time to time during our lives.

As I witnessed the extraordinary health crisis unfolding and sweeping across the world, it soon became very apparent that it was going to impact everyone’s life and business in a huge way. The gravity of this situation soon became very real, as one by one, all of my plans were crushed, solo show cancelled and my students unable to attend their weekly lessons.

Initially, I naturally felt a level of disappointment and trepidation but after a few days processing the situation, found that the disappointment was swiftly balanced by the feeling of inner freedom from all of my usual responsibilities, pressures and commitments. It felt as though the seemingly eternal void of the crisis was filled with infinite possibilities.

Personally, I need no more of an invitation than a blank canvas to get my creative juices flowing, and with the freedom from any commercial pressure, I initially directed all of my energy at my sketch book and was delighted by a generous outpouring of designs that I felt inspired to explore in both form and content. As the weeks passed by, even though the health crisis was at the forefront of every news article and conversation, I managed to keep my focus and balance by listening to uplifting lectures and music, whilst gently going about my usual practice to produce some very fine work which I am looking forward to sharing with you at the first opportunity!

The flow of life, whether good or tough times, will always go through its natural cycle, nothing ever stays the same, this situation is no different and will also come to pass. The challenge however, is to adapt and evolve in the face of this adversity now and take these lessons forward to the next chapter of life, whatever it may bring.

For more details of Andrew’s work, please visit the links below:

Website: http://www.3dsculptor.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewthomas_visionaryartist/

SWAc Academician Page: https://www.southwestacademy.org.uk/andrew-thomas

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