“When the Japanese mend broken objects, they aggrandize the damage by filling the cracks with gold. They believe that when something’s suffered damage and has a history it becomes more beautiful.” ~Barbara Bloom
This quote was on the Spondylitis Association of America’s Facebook wall today and voila – inspiration! I had never heard of this art form so I immediately did some research.
I learned that the Japanese created a process and practice of mending broken objects with gold. This “golden joinery” is called kintsugi and what started simply as a search for a material that was strong enough to bond ceramics back together became a practice honed and some say created on purpose once it was seen how patching and filling the lines of a broken object back together created beauty in the imperfection.
Our cracks and scars are our unique beauty – they do not break us – they only make us stronger. Honor them and fill them with gold.
Until tomorrow.
Jenna
Day 245 was created in liquid and metallic gold acrylic.
What a wonderful inspiring post and Apple Jenna.
Thank yo Vic! – I hope you had a great B-Day yesterday without too much pain.
That apple is so beautiful, as is the story behind it.
Hi Betty!
Thank you so much – I love this apple… some just touch me a bit more than others I guess.
Hope you are well 🙂 – Jenna
Beautiful!
Thank you Ms. Kelby xox
Jenna I especially appreciate this APPLE today. I took the liberty to post it on my Facebook to encourage others. Thankyou, Judy
Judy, I’m so glad that you took a moment to let me know. It means a lot to me – thank you.
I encourage people to share, download, print – these apples belong to the Spondylitis community – I make each one for us – the people trying everyday to live with this disease and get the word out about it.
I know we’re lined with cracks and breaks but the imagery of gold filling those spaces makes me stronger – I hope it does you too!
Jenna
This is my favorite apple so far. I now picture my cracks and scars filled with gold. Thank you, Jen.
I will forever use this imagery – in both future art and for holding myself up in difficult times. Oh – the power of an image on canvas or in the mind!
Beautiful, Jenna! ( : One of my absolute favorites of your apples.
Thank you Elin – I so appreciate your support.
How interesting! I can’t wait to ask The Helpful Hubby if he knows this history tidbit! I love the beautiful words you ended with too.