MAY
“I can, with one eye squinted, take it all as a blessing.”
― Flannery O'Connor
Scroll for this month's art episode.
Hello, May.
Welcome to your monthly Kay Clarity art episode!
This month features a general theme of sacrifice, growing out of a song I wrote in honour of my great-great grandfather and his journey from the Irish homeland to the US in the 19th century. Following on contemplating that reality--for the first time in earnest in my whole life--with so much swirling in the world, it struck me that our loss of historical identity is by design. It is useful for those who have a desire to dismantle civilization to distance us from our history in order that we would lose our grasp on our sense of being contextualized in a broader human story knit together from generations of family--making us ripe to find our sense of belonging instead in an all-encompassing state demanding our complete loyalty at the expense of all else.
As in all worthwhile art, the particular--in this case, a closer look at my own personal history--counterintuitively invites the observer into a universal experience. I hope it perhaps draws you into contemplation of your ancestors, who they were, and what they may have fought for and sacrificed on your behalf--and through that, that you might be brought into the great mystery and sense of awe in your existence that is our birthright.
Scroll to listen to "The Ballad of the Irish American."
The Ballad of the Irish American
I felt compelled one day to write this song, although I had never before consciously thought of the experience of my great-great grandfather as he immigrated to the US in hope of a better life for him and for his family.
It is a sad song, and it is not an attempt at perfect historical accuracy about his life or the particulars of any or all Irish immigrant, but many of the realities expressed in this song are likely possibilities, and an amalgamation of many different stories I have heard over the years of the Irish who first settled on American soil and made their way.
It is not intended to be sentimental but rather authentically capture the melancholy of so many traditional Irish sounds and ballads. It does not jump to a quick, redemptive ending. Instead, the hope of the story lies in what came after; I see so much of the beauty of my life as a sign of hope generations down that I wish he could have foreseen.
Scroll to hear my thoughts on this song and the importance of remembering who we are and where we come from historically for a greater sense of identity and sense of context.
Green in Honour of Ireland
Here are some photos I took and edited from around the world over the years--all green, now offered in honour of Ireland.
Click on any image to enlarge and scroll.
Some final poems:
"Sacrifice"
by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Though love repine, and reason chafe,
There came a voice without reply,--
''T is man's perdition to be safe,
When for the truth he ought to die.'
"Pain"
by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
How blind is he who prays that God will send
All pain from earth. Pain has its use and place;
Its ministry of holiness and grace.
The darker tones upon the canvas blend
With light and colour; and their shadows lend
The painting half its dignity. Efface
The sombre background, and you lose all trace
Of that perfection which is true art's trend.
Life is an artist seeking to reveal
God's majesty and beauty in each soul.
If from the palette mortal man could steal
The precious pigment, pain, why then the scroll
Would glare with colours meaningless and bright,
Or show an empty canvas, blurred with light.
We have loved having you here today.
You can download May's PDF for all main written content and lyrics, as well as audio files for the featured songs and poems by clicking the button below.
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BONUS MATERIAL:
Not ready for your art experience to end just yet?
Some other extra content worth your time can be found below.
Roger Scruton: A Man of Sacrifice
Sir Roger Scruton was an intellectual and conservative force to be reckoned with, as well as a personal inspiration for me as an artist. Here I share about his courage in speaking the truth and honour him for his sacrifice in the cause of beauty and humanity.
Sumi Jo sings Caccini's "Ave Maria"
Famed South Korean soprano sings a short but exquisite rendition of a less well-known Ave Maria. Her entire childhood and beyond was spent in mastering her craft through sacrifice and and hard work.
Special thanks to all who support great artists around the world, ensuring a legacy of humanity and beauty for future generations. "The Ballad of the Irish American" written and performed by Kay Clarity. Poems used from the Public Domain: "Sacrifice" by Ralph Waldo Emerson & "Pain" by Ella Wheeler Wilcox. All photos featured by Kay Clarity. Candle featured in every episode is from House of Royals Co.
This Art Episode series has been copyrighted, inclusive of all individual elements within the episodes, as well as the concept. It can be shared personally and directly with anyone of interest, but can't be replicated without permission. For inquiries for broader use, please write me and my team at [email protected].
Copyright Kay Clarity/Snow Rose Productions/Calibre Records, 2021. All rights reserved.
