Are you familiar with Kintsugi, the Japanese art of “golden joinery”? This ancient practice involves repairing broken pottery with gold lacquer, highlighting the mend instead of trying to hide it, and turning it into something beautiful.
Each piece of Kintsugi is unique. When an object is broken, it doesn't mean it's the end, rather it is a new beginning. It can be healed and becomes stronger even as it remains imperfect. This philosophy teaches us that change, though often difficult, is an opportunity for growth. We highlight the crack lines, not concealing them. They become a part of the object and its history.
Kintsugi is a metaphor for our own lives, reminding us that nothing is permanent or perfect. Our struggles ultimately help make us stronger and more resilient, adding to our depth and beauty. Our best qualities are shaped by our experiences.
As the saying goes, "The only constant is change". Yet we have a hard time dealing with change. We grieve when life takes an unexpected turn, longing for things to return to the way they were. But that is not possible - rather a new normal must emerge. It takes time and patience, and a willingness to embrace the broken parts, and put them back together in a new way.
The last two years of my life have been defined by change. A long-term relationship ended—amicably, but still a significant shift. I sold my home and relocated across the city. My teaching career expanded, bringing new opportunities but also new uncertainties. One of the most daunting experiences was stepping into a short-term teaching position at a local university. Though I had taught one-day workshops before, this was an ongoing six-week course, and my nerves were heightened by the fact that I had never attended university myself. The course was part of a Lifelong Learning Program, meaning my students were mostly over 50 and grades weren’t involved. Still, the experience was unfamiliar and slightly intimidating. But through it all, I adapted, learned, and grew.
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| Gelli print on fabric |
Now in my 60s, I see many women facing significant life changes. Menopause, children leaving or returning home, retirement, a spouse retiring, downsizing, health issues are all common themes. We may also experience the loss of parents and good friends, confronting our own mortality along the way.
Just as Kintsugi is an art for repair, creative activities help us navigate change and stress. Whether it’s painting, cooking, gardening, decorating, sewing, photography, journaling, or even mending—every act of creation is an act of healing. Creativity allows us to process emotions, find calm, and embrace transformation.
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| A "Kintsugi-style" fix for an old plate - I used gelli prints and fabric to make this fibre art piece. |
Like Kintsugi, creative activities encourage us to:
- release repressed emotions
- find peace and calm in the process
- find acceptance to move past the pre-damaged state
- problem-solve
- embrace change
- honour and be kind to ourselves
- select a different path
- embrace our cracks, imperfections, wounds, scars, grief, struggles, fears
- become stronger
- seek simplicity
- rebuild into something whole again
- slow down and stop rushing through our lives
- live in the moment, helping to find balance
- slow down our breath, breathing deeper into the diaphragm
- may experience meditation benefits - slipping into a flow state where we forget our worries and stresses
Perfection is not the goal. What matters is embracing our imperfections and finding beauty in the process. Our cracks do not diminish our worth, but define our uniqueness. Life, like art, is about transformation. By embracing change, we become stronger, more resilient, and whole.
To see my upcoming workshops, visit https://www.needleartsonpaper.com/
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That is beautifully said Anne. Your plate is gorgeous. Thanks so much for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteThanks Andree! I'll have the plate in the gallery section at Fibre Fling April 25 & 26.
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