National Gallery

When I read the little blurb for this exhibition I was really drawn to the 'humans being humans' aspect of it. I suppose with all the chaos, confusion, and division in the world, I am always looking for little moments of humanity in every day life, because if you look around you'll find that 8 billion people actually have more in common than we all realize. 

Regardless, the mantra, 'we are worth saving' has really been more of a comfort to me rather than some ambiguous and futile thing we tell ourselves to make ourselves feel better. But truly, I know there is one thing that especially connects us all: art. Whether that be through literature, song, visual art, or dance, we all want to feel connected to something or someone. 

I recently went to the National Gallery in London on a mission to see everything in one day. I saw everything and more. In a very poignant moment that I will never forget, I approached the crowded room with Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' and- where I would normally be annoyed that there are people in my way blocking my 'perfect shot'- I was pleasantly unbothered with what I saw. There was a lovely young couple standing in front of me, but I was more focused on watching them looking at the painting than what I came to the Gallery especially to see. So, I took a photo of them (which I will send) enjoying the art before them. I thought it was so human and it made me smile for the rest of the day and every time I look at it since. I proceeded to show it to the couple and got their consent to keep it (after sending it to them) but when I look at the photograph I am reminded of how I felt in that moment: inspired, hopeful, and privileged to witness such a tender moment between two people who were just so lost in each other. I love the duality of how they both wear their clothing, I love how soft and harsh their- for a lack of a better word- 'aesthetics' are, and I love watching one girl explain the nuances of the priceless work of art before them. Also, they're holding hands which is so pure in itself. But that is so human to me and I felt like I was Van Gogh, himself, with my own version of 'Sunflowers', and while I didn't bring my canvas and paints as Van Gogh had, I used the medium I had on-hand to quickly capture this couple, desperate to capture their beauty before it escapes me. This is the moment I captured my own priceless moment of the human condition while they contemplate the very human and his motives for painting one of his more priceless pieces. Words just cannot describe how much I adore this photo, and clearly I can go on about it. Anyway, what a memory. It's moments like these that give me hope, and I really love what you guys are trying to do and I wish it comes out exactly like you'd hoped.

~ Jo