End of Innocence?
“END OF INNOCENCE”
Why do we learn things the hard way
when the truth is so simple?
We are at the dawn of a powerful awareness, where play and
creativity can provide the answers we seek -
The path to our healing and wellbeing lies in reconnection with our inner child no matter how we have lost touch with that time of innocence.
Yet ironically we fail to notice that our own children are being robbed of these very years of innocence and play that we now long to rediscover for ourselves.
What is happening to the free and formative years where imagination and creativity reign supreme,
where fun and spontaneity define a child’s world and who they are?
It seems that from the moment of their birth, today’s children are heaped with the weight of our expectations, our stresses, our lifestyle challenges, and the choices we force upon them.
They are channeled into programs, daycares, preschools and educational institutions,
They are measured, recorded, graded, compared, molded and
fitted into bell-shaped curves,
bombarded with media at every level, pumped, hyped, drugged
or fed a toxic overload of adult content.
Any innocence they have gets trampled in the fast paced race for survival.
They are more familiar with a screen and a login name than an
open field or forest or a tree to be climbed,
They are more at home with the digital, wireless, handheld, mobile, computerized world
than the freedom and beauty of the natural one.
When their moment comes to seek their own wellbeing and happiness,
when all they have is themselves
and what lies within,
Who will they turn to? Who will they revert to?
Who will guide and save them,
if the inner child is not there,
nor ever has been?
(Wendy Slee 2008)
Created for the 2008 Mullalyup Muster Art Prize
Theme: Endangered Species – notes from a romance with economic rationalism….
This is the image that won first prize.
(I am still in shock!)
But also ecstatic, so a big thank you to Naomi and Elliott and all involved with the Mullalyup Gallery and this particular exhibition as I am very grateful for the privilege of entering work in such amazing company, and having it viewed by my peers….and to receive such high recognition/acknowledgement for my work.
Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters
demon
I echo your sentiments Wendy, It seems today the lifestyle for children is going the wrong way, to have some plain old good fun, find self entertaiment is a thing of the past…lovely work …Huggs
Kharma
wonderful creative image Wendy …
happy to say my children still ride bicycles and chalk draw in the street and walk with me and nature .. a happy balance of old world innocence and new tech ..
Kharma
oh and Congratulations on the win :>)
blamo
thought provoking terrific concept well carried out
Andy Harris
great creativity in this… and very powerful….!
midzing
beautiful, powerful and so sadly true,,,, well done Wendy, on the image, and the win,,,,
Helene Kippert
Such a powerful image Wendy and you’ve said it so well as usual! Congratulations on the win – it’s well deserved and thanks for sharing.
Larry Davis
The young boy, looking back to his lost childhood and innocence…
Ahead, adulthood and reality.
Oh’ what I would give to go back.
And that is why I try to hold on to my imagination.
If I loose that…. I am dead.
Thank God there are people like you….. You talented person You.
Basia McAuley
This is such an exceptional image, I love the composition, the colour and depth but most of all I totally love the meaning. I totally agree and find it particularly sad at the truth behind it. Brilliant work dear Wendy.. Bravo!
Kelly J
Oh wow – such an amazing compelling image and the meaning behind it – your words – your choice of words. This has left me speachless Wendy. My take on it is one of leaving the innosence and the world we knew as children to as you say the modern cyber/techno world! The little boy looking back and then venturing into the …..Enter user name and password is so powerful! Just an amazing shot – and I congratulate you for creating this. Very powerful – congratulations. You are extremely talented. K
GerryMac
Just amazing work Wendy….
Sharon Hammond
Splendid work. Congratulations Wendy
Antanas
great work
Caz Wood
Many congratulations, Wendy. You deserve to be acknowledged for your thought-provoking work!
cherylc1
wonderful powerful statement
Ravenor
My sentiments entirely Wendy, so frighteningly true!... Awesome work and I think congratulations are in order here…bloody well done..
frogster
Wendy powerful image and words.
Sean Farragher
fantastic work
Cathleen Taraw...
Yeah! So well deserved. And no truer words spoken.
margaretfraser
very good very imaginitive colours are great
Lucindawind
fantastic piece Wendy !
ZuzanaD
great artwork, Wendy!
Irish
THIS says So Much, EXCELLENT!
DawsonImages
Wow, that is powerful and evocative
susan davies
awesome work
PNFdeb
always powerful with loads of messages – hugs
silveraya
wow what a mix but works well, powerfully done
ferndesign
Man this is powerful well done
Julie Marks
Wendy, this extraordinary work. You deserve to win the prize with your eloquent and
powerful imagery and words. You speak the truth so eloquently about the loss of innocence that has been written about by authors with much less talent and the amazing mastery of language that you possess. Your words evoke so many images and I associate to Cat Steven’s song, Where do the Children Play , great lyrics about advancing technology and the loss of innocence. I have an ipod implanted in my brain that plays songs when I read great writers and see bold images like the ones by the exceptional Wendy Slee. You are so gifted and I can’t think of anyone more deserving of winning first prize. Others recognize you amazing talent before you do. You win the prize in more ways than one. I am a big fan.
Carol & Kev Ha...
So powerful, so emotive, so creative….BRILLIANT!!
louisegreen
BRAVO! Congrats on this wonderful piece of work Wendy.
I am so proud of you:-)
BOOKMAKER
VERY, VERY COMPELLING ! ! ! !
Wendy Slee replied
Hey my friend, thank you so much for such a wonderful response!
Dan Shalloe
Wow, Wendy. This is wild, a roller-coaster for my senses – fantastic!
Wendy Slee replied
That is an amazing comment, Dan, I am honoured! thank you so very much!!