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On a warm summer’s day, I met Livonne at her West of Wonderland exhibition at Everglades Historic Gardens in the Blue Mountains. Hers was a venue bonus - artworks based on a favourite book? There was no way I was going to miss this!
Having saved the best for last, I entered the converted squash court and was met with all manner of rich, sometimes haunting but always whimsical images, installation pieces and text, and most memorably, welcomed by a warm human being with calm strength.
Extract from Livonne’s blog~
Yes I am wise
But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes I’ve paid the price but look how much I’ve gained
If I have to I can do anything
I am strong
I am invincible
I am woman
Helen Reddy
Livonne shared a little of her story and I left with the strongest feeling of needing to hug her! I did retrace my steps but she was already occupied and I vowed to get in touch. A few emails later and we meet for this conversation.
If you know me, you know I love fairytale and high fantasy genres. I could enjoy, deconstruct, and endlessly run away with imagination in this commanding series of artworks. What a magical and powerful way to convey a message, to speak a truth, move along the path to recovery, and all the while sharing possibility with others.
Before artwork, Livonne began to write her way out of trauma in her blog, Livonne (on Life, Love, Loss, Laughter & Larrikins), learning early on that her writing impacted others.
I was a divorced, mess of a woman. A mother to two gorgeous young sons and trying to deal with the death of my beautiful daughter on an access visit. Not just that, but I was in court every other day, fighting for custody of my sons, dealing with coroner’s inquests, obtaining Apprehended Violence Orders all while trying to hold down a full time job and raise two traumatised young boys to be normal, decent men. To say I wasn’t coping well with life would be the understatement of the year. But I got up everyday and put one foot in front of the other like the world told me to.
Her story has been captured visually in ‘From Fractured to Fairytale’, a collection of images that chart her journey back to herself. Find more about Livonne’s exhibitions and artworks at her website Livonne Imagery and on Facebook.
Some of Livonne’s most stunning artworks, in my humble opinion (!) are her intricately handcrafted headdresses, each a glorious construct in their own right.
And so to the present. Livonne’s current work is a redressing of how society perceives the ‘older’ woman. And I highlight older because I’m not convinced age is relevant. However, the human cycle and how we choose to experience it, view it, and honor it most certainly is.
It makes me wonder when as a society we forgot to revere the privilege of each day in the physical and the wisdom gathered along the way. And so it is refreshing to meet someone who challenges society’s stereotypical gaze. Livonne’s images focussing on the deep beauty of women honoring the passing of time are a reflection of her warmth and integrity.
Isn’t this a glorious image?! Watch this collection unfold on her website.
When we remember that what we ‘see’ in the world, our reality, is a reflection of what we contain within, we come to understand the privilege of being able to ‘see’ into another’s story. And what an inspiring story of survival and reclamation of power it is. Not just for the beauty, not just for the pain, but for the acceptance of light and dark, ‘good’ and ‘bad’ and the ability to return to love.
Thank you, Livonne, for showing us we are not defined by our experiences and for leading the way back to the heart.
Blessings
Michelle x
Michelle Cowles
Spiritual Leader/Teacher/Learner
Copyright Michelle Cowles 2024
Disclaimer: The information on this page is general, lifestyle information and should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. If this article raises mental health issues, please contact your General Practitioner, mental health worker, or Lifeline on 13 11 14 (Australia) OR find support by country at www.helpguide.org.
And She Chose to Live On