Friday, April 15, 2016
On: Moving Sideways
I first heard this term ‘moving sideways’ about 12 years ago
when I was teaching adults recovering from mental illness.
The IV (Internal Verifier) was looking through student
folders and marking them off against the set assessment criteria. After
completing the batch she gave me feedback which included this suggestion of
moving sideways. Progression for this particular group of learners was crucial,
as part of their rehabilitation process. However, there were many barriers to
learning which made progression upwards (onto the next level) a challenge for
some of them. Regular changes in medication and associated side effects; a
possible relapse; learning difficulties; low level of literacy – all made it
our number one priority to find a solution which would help our learners.
Moving them sideways would enable them to continue attending a course of
learning. It would allow them to set and complete a goal relatively quickly
(since our courses were short), and ultimately increase their self esteem – all
of which contributed towards their eventual recovery. As a result I wrote a
course which was different but not necessarily at a higher level, students
enrolled, enjoyed it, achieved and hurrah!
This concept of moving sideways (or sideward – whichever you
fancy) helped me immensely in my career as I moved into mentoring and
chaplaincy in the after years. I am glad that it didn’t remain just in my work
life though. The IV (who retired but whom I am still in touch with) taught me a
wise lesson without even realising it. Increasingly over the years I have found
it a useful tool to use this concept in other aspects of my life.
In the last five years, so many big changes have happened in
my life – some happy ones and some not so. One question has returned to me
again and again – what is happening with the art? The art? Art? ART!?!
And I have found direction through looking back at the
moving sideways advice.
The Muslim art scene (in Britain) has moved on so much in
these past five years whilst I have been undergoing my own metamorphosis. We
now have so many creative people out there working on different mediums that I
struggle to keep on top of the latest happenings within the ‘scene’. Almost
daily boundaries are being shifted; exhibitions are happening; new and newer FB
pages are appearing from the very creative minds of Muslims...
It can all get very loud at times.
So what is happening with the art?
I am going sideways with it.
I have thought so many times over the last few years about
paint, stitch and canvas. Galleries, submissions and exhibition proposals. And
then about my own situation: where I am as a human being? What role do I play
in this society? Where is me as an entity in this cosmos? What goes on in my
heart? What about my soul? Are my heart, mind, body, soul really in sync?
I remember coming across an article with an exciting title
detailing tips on how to make art if you have a busy lifestyle. My eyes fixated
at the screen as I scrolled down. But sheer disappointment at the suggestion to
spend less time on cooking, house-keeping and even contacting loved ones!
Tranquilart is as much a philosophy as it is ‘artwork’. The
challenge is to live that philosophy. It may not manifest itself onto canvas
and paint – and because I am going sideways with it that’s alright I tell
myself.
This concept can help us during those junctures of life
where we feel somewhat stuck. It can let us look at our deeper motives and
intentions which in my humble opinion is not a bad thing. Soul searching often
leads to a renewed motivation to fulfil aspirations. Although be warned it does
need courage and honesty. The net result helps discover and open newer doors
which may not have been considered previously. Some people may call it a type
of reflection. But it’s role in dealing with societal pressures to ‘achieve’
particular things is considerable.
I have had the great privilege to meet individuals during
their most vulnerable states - though everyone's circumstances have differed,
there has always been a breakthrough in their situation in the end. A testimony
that no problem is too great for God to solve. And a testimony that thinking
about moving sideways can yield newer solutions and avenues to follow. If this
generates optimism, than that can only be a good thing.
I no longer equate moving forward with moving upwards. I
believe that we can move forward in any given life situation, though it may not
be in the manner everyone else appears to be moving.
* Making paper with my 3 and 4 year old neices who were amazed that paper comes from trees.
Labels: Art, The 'On' series
