Creative Rebellion Essays: These days
“George and the Dragon, May 30th, 2020” — Japanese synthetic polymer on canvas. Painting by John S. Couch
These days…
I’ve been struggling with my own sense of outrage, sorrow and concern about the state of this country. We are living in a time of a pandemic and civil unrest while the political divide worsens under a divisive leadership that continues to believe that “might makes right.”
Great leaders have always brought people together. Martin Luther King. Mahatma Gandhi. John F. Kennedy. And the reaction to them was the same – they were all murdered. But their impact and philosophy live on to this day.
I’ve put down some thoughts or tenets about what I’ve learned from both recent events as well as my time as a creative leader.
Meeting violence with violence only begets more violence.
This is the way of the autocrat. And if history teaches us anything, it doesn’t ever end well for tyrants. Even if you suppress a person or nation through violent means, insurrection is always just below the surface.
The most important attribute a leader has is the ability to truly listen.
A leader needs to understand the needs of their team or, in the case of the US, its constituency. Its citizens. Listen without bias. Listen without needing to impose your own worldview.
A leader then sets a vision based on the feedback from the people.
A vision that is inclusive and equitable to all genders, religious affiliations, sexual orientation, and skin color. This, again, is the same for companies or countries.
A leader knows true strength is kindness.
We often equate kindness with weakness. But you truly win the war when you win the hearts and minds of the people. And you can’t do this through physical and spiritual assault.
A leader makes actual change happen.
Listening, a vision and kindness mean nothing if actual changes aren’t implemented. Action is character. Otherwise, it’s all political theater and ultimately bs.
On May 30th, I finished the 6’ x 4‘ (1.8288 m x 1.2192 m) painting. It’s a part of a series I’m working on during this COVID-19 pandemic. The image is above.
May 30th, was an auspicious and disheartening day. It was both the launch of the NASA SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and the worsening of the riots and protests for the murder of George Floyd and other black victims. I painted while we watched the lift-off of the rocket and I finished at night when the situation worsened as anger and outrage expressed themselves as rioting, looting and arson.
Consequently, I decided to name the painting “George and the Dragon, May 30th, 2020” as an homage both to George Floyd and the successful flight of the SpaceX Dragon. It holds calligraphic energy that represents humanity at its worst and best: the brutality of killing and the brilliance of literally reaching for the stars. The painting has both order and chaos. Much like life. Compositionally it is a combination of my influences: Japan and America.
It also is a reference to “St. George and the Dragon” which has been a traditional subject for artists for centuries.
There is great, convulsive power in the anger expressed during these days. We can continue down the path of violence and despair or we can harness that power, proclaim that “this is not right” and create a world that truly allows for equal rights and opportunities for all. We can do this. Together. In these days.
Now is the time. The time is always now.
John
A recent interview with The Y Circus I did: “How to master the Art of Creative Rebellion.”
What I’m reading:
How to Think Like a Roman Emperor – by Donald Robertson. A wonderful historical book that analyzes Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius through the lens of his times as well as through his famous book “Meditations” which was a journal of his personal thoughts to himself.
Meditations – Marcus Aurelius. My grandfather gave me his copy of this beautiful book and I still turn to it on a regular basis. During these times it’s been at my fingertips more often than usual. Highly recommended.
What I’m watching:
Hannah Gadsby: Douglas – a clever, funny and bitingly acerbic stand-up performance by Australian comedian Hannah Gadsby in which takes on American culture, strange conversations in a dog park, the patriarchy and her own autism.
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