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I created this art as my contribution to "Seeking Spirit," an invitational exhibit in celebration of the life and work of Matthew Lyon.
From the Artist's Statement:
One day, several months before Matt Lyon died, I sat by him at a Quaker Meeting potluck. I’d been looking forward to talking to him for a long time, since he seemed fantastic from across the worship room, and I’d heard he was an artist. Sure enough, we shared a rich conversation, and I still remember how he glowed with energy and joy talking about the places where his art and spirituality meet. I was thrilled, not only to find a kindred spirit, but to be listening to what Matt loved-- to God loving life through Matt’s eyes and heart and prayers and art. Since then, and more and more, Matt’s art and life have inspired my own.
When I walked into his memorial service at OES, his open-chested sculpture on the altar took my breath. When I learned that his students had completed the work with butterflies, it captured my heart. I’ve lived with this image ever since, and the truth it represents about transformation, the release of Matt’s spirit into the world in a new way since his death, and our own call to nurture and share the miraculous in our souls. In fact, Matt lived so deeply in the understanding of giving and ultimate truth, that when the time came, he literally laid down his motorcycle and saved the life of the driver of the oncoming car in the accident. To my heart, this embodies the spiritual teachings Matt faithfully followed.
Matt Lyon remains one of our great teachers.
I am honored to contribute the art and poem, “Opening,” to give witness to his story and our deep gratitude for his life.
Opening
(For Matt Lyon)
He knew it was coming-- He sculpted his own release
over and over--
a map of the opening
in his chest.
It was no accident, then,
when he laid it down
and split open, inside out.
--Melanie Weidner, 2006
(Poem text included in art image. See Opening .) |
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