slow look reflection
Truthfully, my slow look reflection was not as effective as I’d hoped nor was it as effective as it has been in the past. I often find solace in art museums; I feel the quiet, meditative aspects of them to be quite soothing and thought-provoking, which was the goal of this exercise - I think. Unfortunately, the decision to choose a work of art that ‘didn’t represent art’ in our eyes led me to choose a work that seemed rather unfinished. I noted uneven lines, visible tracings, a severe lack of color and a heavy reliance on shadows. On the surface it looked sloppy and unfinished, and unfortunately that opinion did not change over the course of the reflection. The painting itself didn’t evolve into some greater message, apart from the darker tones exuding an innate sense of sadness, or sickness.
Compote with Fruit
What I did gain from this exercise was an opportunity to look inward and have a self-reflective dialogue with myself. In trying to make sense of the work of art I found myself struggling in a similar way that I have struggled with my personal problems. I thought about my analytical approach to situations, and how I am swift to solve problems before getting an adequate understanding of them or listening to the parties involved. I realized that I was trying to find logic in this work that wasn’t meant to be found. During the activity, I found myself growing jealous of the people around me and the works they chose which seemed more complete and interesting than my own.
Finally, I decided to read the description of the work. It was a piece by Jean Fautrier who had operated before, during, and after the second world war. This yielded a revelation and a theory from my observant eyes. It revealed more about the experiences of this artist and the influences upon his work. It made me think about how this piece was a result of Fautrier’s depression and trauma. I theorized that the incomplete aspects of the painting (the lack of color and reliance upon shadows) was a testament to the artist’s struggles and inability to infuse happiness into his work.
In my attempt to understand the message of my painting, I entered a contemplative headspace that forced me to place myself in the shoes of the artist. This forced me to reflect upon my own experiences and their connections or similarities to those of the artist. The depression expressed in this work allowed me to acknowledge my own depression and stress of recent events in my own life and it allowed me to hold this artist in a higher respect than when I started the exercise. I believe this kind of compassionate and empathetic thinking could be very useful in leadership scenarios. The ability to see between the lines and truly place myself in the position of those I manage is just one of the ways I can improve my leadership abilities, and boost not only my own confidence, but the confidence in me of those who I manage.
Ultimately, I was still somewhat unimpressed by my chosen work of art, but in the spirit of the exercise I was delighted at the challenge of understanding something that didn’t initially appeal to me. As managers, we need to be cognizant of things that are rarely obvious or visible, so this activity of engaging and connecting with something we don’t immediately understand is great practice for improving our awareness of issues and the patience needed to solve them. I would like to return to the Raclin Murphy museum to see the rest of the exhibits and continue this exercise of patience, meditation, and self reflection; perhaps I will even yield something new from a second viewing of the piece that I chose today.
