Heroes

Saturday 6th June, 2020

Another email arrived this morning telling of the death of Catherine Davenport, one of my Mother's closest friends and a loyal friend to me. Only five days ago I received a birthday card from her. It was written in a very spidery hand but with promises to be in touch again. Not Covid 19 but heart failure at the age of 97. May she rest in peace.

Many of my Mother's friends were heroic figures to me. They had done great things during the Second World War and were full of life, zest and fun. It was as if the experiences they had had made them determined to be livers of an abundant life. They were determined and held high principles which few of them ever failed to live up to.

In fact my life has been motivated and spurred on by heroic figures from history (Hannibal's wife, Confucius, Job, Socrates, Christ) and in my own life time.

This morning before I received the email I had read an article by Will Gompertz on Agnes Martin (1912-2004) the American artist. Gompertz concentrated on her painting 'Friendship' and explained how her artistic development had led to her determination of 'making feelings visible'. My initial reaction was how odd a concept yet a smile reveals a feeling, a musical composition can reveal  and engender a feeling so why not a painting?

Gompertz wrote of Martin's 'fragile mental health 'informing her paintings'. She had an eccentric lifestyle, suffered schizophrenia but sought 'tranquillity and order among chaos' ever attempting to dispel dark thoughts. She was deeply spiritual, highly intelligent, sensitive, focussed, talented and dedicated. Solitude was 'her source material'.

Having read the article and looked as closely as possible at the painting 'Friendship' I felt here was an exemplar of my life's desires. However unattainable her lifestyle for me still she had lived in a powerful, purposeful way harnessing her human talent and giving it to others.

I am no painter but depth of spirituality and solitude, interconnected I am certain, plus her focus and dedication to a goal inspires me with hope. I am myself but myself can learn from such a life and consider it and refocus if necessary.

Our lives, all of us, have worth not only in themselves but for all others. Certainly Catherine is one such I knew and touched personally. Agnes Martin now goes on to my list of heroes to be emulated.