A mind become too compliant, too ready to conform, too eager to please, is a danger to itself, to body, to whole being – to being whole.
There are perils in swimming against the tide of cultural, social, gender conditioning (especially for women). There are perils in swimming against the prevailing tide of thought. I know the perils of not swimming against the tide to be far greater.
Learn to swim. Learn to swim strong, steady strokes.
Natalie McDonagh. ‘Perils of the domesticated mind’ 2014. Paper collage: found images
Artist's Note
In the Artfulmind lab is a black portfolio. On occasion I add to its contents – a series of Surrealist collages I have been making over time. I am a great gleaner of found images and text. I make in the traditional way, by hand with scalpel and tape and glue.
I am captivated by the artistic alchemy of collage; a magic in which mind becomes able to accommodate the tension that arises for me in my practice, witnessing the dis/appearance of particular aspects of mind in our society – especially in organisational life. This is one such personal visual / verbal meditation.