Much of my work (using copper and brass wire or metallic threads) depicts the healing effects of Mindfulness and self-compassion, as understood through neuroscience.
Hard-Wired for Survival (depicting a single neuron firing) refers to how neuropsychologist, Rick Hanson, describes how our brains are hard wired for survival and not happiness, which gives us a natural ‘negativity bias’. Thus, it can be helpful to actively cultivate our happiness.
Mirror Neurons: the Empathic Brain (which I was thrilled to have selected for the Cordis Showcase) depicts mirror neurons, which are the part of the brain that give us the capacity for empathy. Without these we would not be able to feel compassion for another or share their joys and sorrows on a feeling level.
Soothing the Traumatised Amygdala expresses how the practice of self-compassion, releases oxytocin (the ‘love chemical’) and soothes agitation of the amygdala (our reptilian brain) where there has been trauma. I can testify to the healing nature of this practice – I’m drawn to how the neuroscience research ties in with such a deep subjective, emotional experience.
‘Loving Awareness’, depicted by the vertical gold threads in relief against the woven background, is that part of us that is always present throughout our lives, despite our physical changes, decline and eventual death. The coloured forms within the ‘framed’ area depict the psychological tasks we have to negotiate as we transition from one stage of life to the next.
Loved in Being is inspired by the notion that most of us have had people who’ve helped us along the way in life. When you think of all the people who’ve had input into our lives, both directly and indirectly, that’s an enormous number of people! Neuropsychologist Rick Hanson wrote about this idea in a recent newsletter: he referred to a TV presenter who, at an awards ceremony, invited the ‘celeb’ audience to spend five seconds bringing to mind those in their lives that had helped them on their way. The piece is a homage to those who have offered their generosity.
Loved Into Being