Some years ago I found the work of luminous artist Dina Cormick. The first artwork I viewed struck me to the heart. A stark visual of a woman whose face appears to be carved in the immediacy of incredible grief, holding up what appears to be a deceased child to the heavens. Her mouth is open in what may be a wail or soundless cry of agony at the fate of the little one. The words "a woman knows the history of human flesh, she knows its cost, Olive Shreiner", appears to the right of the image.
I found this depiction both deeply moving and meaningful. A woman goes through agony to give birth to a child, sacrifices deeply to ensure care for the child of her body until her little one reaches adulthood. Thus a woman who has experienced what it means to grow a child within, to bear that child and to nurture her offspring, knows the physical, emotional, spiritual and financial cost of bringing a child into the world and nurturing that child.
This is not to imply that fathers do not know the history of human flesh or its cost. Of course they do. Acknowledgement of the incredible role of fatherhood in the life of a child is always due. The point of this particular artwork however, to my mind, emphasizes the woman's role of motherhood: that a woman understands in her bones and flesh what the making of a child entails.
This artwork touched my heart so deeply as it made connection for me between motherhood and war. Witnessing the fruit of your body, and the pride and joy of your heart, being sent to war possibly to be maimed or killed is so tragic.
War has long shadows. There are countless stories of wars which had such profound and sorrowful impact on so many lives.
I pray for an end to the wars, suffering and death which are sweeping our beautiful planet at this time. Truly, a woman knows the history of human flesh, she knows its cost. If we, in our societies, realize the wonder of the cost of lives, surely we will come to value our children - and those of others of all species - with all our hearts.
The Mother of Jesus Christ knew the unbelievable pain of the loss of her Son Who died in the cosmic war to defeat satan from wrongful usurpation of the destiny of humankind. She knew the cost of human flesh received through the Incarnation being discarded, disrespected and swept away in torture and death. All mothers may turn to the example of Mother Mary in the Bible, for comfort in their darkest hours of grief and loss. There is hope again - there will one day be resurrection for all lost on earth and in war. Eternal life in the bliss of heaven will be experienced by all the fallen, all lost at sea or buried in unknown graves. The wail of the mother in the artwork of Artist Cormick will be tenderly changed to eternal joy in the reunion of mothers and children, fathers and children, families and their loved ones in the New Jerusalem. And that will be an eternal reunion and life of happiness which will never end.
I know what sober and realistic thoughts the work by Artist Dina Cormick evoked in my mind. Sorrow for past and present loss of life. Respect and reverence for women who value life, Respect and reverence for men who are devoted fathers. Acknowledgement to God in the heavens that, at the end of the day, no matter how grim reality seems, He is in control. And hope, hope for the future - that as women know the history and sanctity of life, all may come to respect and love all living beings. If not in this world, then in the next.
Thank you, Artist Dina, for your incredible mission as artist.
Click in the following link about Artist Dina Cormick, if you wish to view the artwork described above:
https://www.creativewomanartist.com/about-the-artist/
With thanks to creativewomartist.com
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