The Wait

Consequences. Sometimes we do not fully understand them. -Original artist statement for my image titled The Wait

The Wait is an image that I created sometime between 2002-2004. In this image (which can be found in my gallery titled Reality), the central figure is a man wearing a suit who has hung himself dead. To the right of the tipped over chair at the mans feet is a dog. Near the feet of the dog is a ball. The dog is gazing up at the hanged man and waiting to play catch.

It is a very difficult image to look at.

This image was the focus of an email that forever changed my understanding of what art can truly be. Between one and two years after creating this image, a man reached out to me via the email address provided on my website. He informed me that he had been in the final stages of planning his suicide when he had happened upon my website. It was discovered completely by accident while randomly surfing the internet,

Not one normally interested in art, he was curious and found my artwork intriguing. After having spent some time browsing the many galleries of my site, he happened upon this image. He informed me in a rather matter of fact way that the image affected him profoundly and that he had decided to re-consider his decision to end his life. He wanted to thank me.

Based on what I read in that email, I had no reason to believe it was in any way false. I have never heard from this person again, so ultimately I cannot know if he remained true to his decision to stay in this world or not. What I can say is this... if art can change the course of a persons life even for a moment, it MUST be meaningful. It MUST be important. There are those who look at art just as something to hang on a wall and make a room look nice. There are also those who, like myself, find deeper meaning in what we see.

After I read the rather humbling email, I sent a very heartfelt response. To be honest, I was so deeply affected that I do not recall what I said. only that he never responded. My heart hopes this person is still here someplace, living, laughing, loving, or even crying. After all these years I still remember the impact that his email had upon me. This image is a constant reminder that what I am doing... what I am creating... it is not a waste of time. It matters. Even if there is only a tiny percentage of people who enjoy what I am doing, it still MATTERS.

It has been my mission as an artist from the word go to address what lies in the dark recesses of the human condition. I've always hoped that in doing so, I am bringing light to those who can relate. This story was originally written for my third book of art titled The Art of Darkness and Light. The Wait appears at the very end of the book and is accompanied by these words.

-John Alexander (aka SirJohn)