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Title: Swan Song

This piece is about hope, sacrifice and humor.

It is dedicated to all those who are going through hard times, those in need of inspiration, hope, peace and a way out. You may be able to identify with different elements in the painting.

The lack of the eyes, nose, mouth and ears (and a missing hand), suggest that sometimes the pain life etches into us may hurt so much that we’d rather do without the senses. And sometimes, the same senses that guide us mislead us too, making us seek baser material pleasures. We want to elude trouble. We love comfort. When we suffer, we ask for the meaning of life; reasons to justify out suffering. We are told that difficulties are the best way to learn about life, and it is almost impossible to see the truth in that.

The entity breaking out of the clouds is one who strives. There is no end to what we want, material, emotional or spiritual. She reaches out, even though she has gone past the clouds. Her desires and ambitions are part of the clouds, immense, impossible to grasp, and in a sense, they suffocate. Some curl around her like a closing hand. Often, we are required to strive, yet I’m sure deep down inside all of us, we know what really is required of us - charity and generosity.

Life is unfair, and in the midst of all this suffering and struggling, we want a way out. Yet more beautiful human qualities shine more intensely in these dark events. I’ve found one way out though, that would be this attempt to live for others or for something I believe in as much as possible. It really hurts less when efforts are in vain or obstacles come about because you know what you’re doing isn’t for a selfish reason. It seems as though your suffering is shared with those whom you’re living for. It also hurts less if you can laugh while at it.

Laughter is important. It adds color to the darkest moments. Patterns and lively color swirl behind the murky blue wash. The rose above the entity’s head can be anticipated to smack her in the face as she ascends. Occasionally the clouds suggest that the entity has “guffed”. With humor, even a cloudy scene can be turned into a relatively rosy situation. To me, the ability to chuckle in the shadow of negativity when it rears its ugly head… is almost… noble?

I guess there is this "rose" in all of us. There will be a time when it will blossom, and before long, wither. There is also Hope within. Hope may cry over the dying flower. Yet there is beauty in the dried drifting petals caressed by the wind. It symbolizes impermanence and a new beginning; a farewell to the rose and a grand initiation for the fruit that will take its place. A life lived for someone or something else, that in itself is a beautiful swan song that will touch everyone.

For all of you who are in pain, who need inspiration, who seem to be losing hope, who want to give up. Hang in there. Often by helping others you help yourself. In the book “The Husband” by Dean Koontz, a character mentioned that peace is a grace that comes over people, and happiness is a choice we must learn to choose. I’ve found a sense of peace, but I can’t say with sincerity that I’m happy. To all of you, may you find that peace, and may you eventually experience happiness. In the end, you are Hope and your Swan Song will be everlasting. Stay true to yourself.

With hope and love, cheers!

Ruben Pang

9 Aug 2007