S is for Soul

Barbara Hepworth Figure (walnut)

I have been thinking about how some creative people touch my soul when I see their work. What is it that makes some artworks speak to us at a deep level while viewing others is a superficial experience?

Standing in front of one of the portraits at Tate Britain’s recent exhibition, I had one of these ’soul’ moments. The "Sargent and Fashion" exhibition was unique in that some of the dresses worn by the subjects of the portraits were also on display. This was fitting as John Singer Sargent often knew the people sitting for him and guided their choice of dress. The paintings were huge, almost life-size in some cases and, as he was a prolific painter, about 60 of his portraits were on show. His rendition of dress fabric is extraordinary. He was adept at painting the very essence of the cloth, the beads used, the flow of material. He captures the craft of the dressmaker and the skill involved in the creation of the garment. On at least one occasion the eyes of the sitter gave me that sense of someone looking into my inner being. Another portrait of a school teacher was particularly unnerving. I felt her searching gaze and imagined her pupils would not get away with very much! John Singer Sargent had captured her authority and discerning look.

It is hard to convey, but the exhibition left me feeling I had been through a roller coaster ride of personalities, and the striking images left me elated. Whether young or old, male or female, there was a vibrancy and ‘connection’. Part of this was due to his brushwork, as there are sweeping strokes rather than minute mark-making. But what seemed to set his work apart is the relationship he had with his sitters which then leads to a ‘soul to soul’ experience between the subject and the viewer - in this case an overwhelmed admirer.

Another creative individual who has touched me deeply is the photographer Sebastiao Salgado. I have been to two of his exhibitions. He is an environmentalist and both a landscape and portrait photographer but not a man who is easily categorised. He is a political campaigner driven by his passion to awaken people to the effect we are having on the earth he loves and which he photographs.

One image of his that stood out for me was a black and white photograph of a woman picking tea leaves. She is shown as someone in utter despair, exhausted, at the end of her tether. This image reduced me to tears, yes, that's right - in the middle of a very busy gallery. Even now, looking at a reproduction, I still find myself admiring his ability to capture that moment in a woman’s soul and show it so clearly to me.

The singer Sting also has this ability through his songwriting and the way he delivers his lyrics. His song written for The Police with its hypnotic reggae rhythm called ‘Spirits in the Material World’ speaks to my soul. Sting describes the meaning of it by saying ‘while political progress is clearly important in resolving conflict around the world, there are spiritual (as opposed to religious) aspects of our recovery that also need to be addressed’. Amanda London commenting on songmeaningsandfacts.com writes: ‘The Police’s “Spirits in the Material World” seems to suggest that although humans are physical and react only to the tangible, the intangible things in life may be the key to solving our constant struggles.'

I cannot tell how or why looking at a sculpture by Barbara Hepworth, whatever its shape or design, always seems to touch my soul. Her sculptures are made of a variety of materials such as wood, metal or stone, and are sculpted with intriguing hollows, holes and sometimes wires – they are fascinating and captivating.

From a faith point of view, there are many songs that also touch my spirit and soul. If I name one, it has to be a family favourite: How Great Thou Art. If you are not familiar with this great hymn, then do look it up on something like You Tube.

Being by the sea makes me mindful of the environment around me, and that touches my soul. It could be the sound of the waves as they crash onto the rocks or the sound as the waves pull back to the sea across the pebbles, or the patterns made in the sand, or the movement, the sound and the smell of the freshness of the sea breeze. It always makes me feel creative as everything is going on in front of me. There are times I wish I could sing some sea shanties like the lads on the Fishermen’s Friends films. Jacquie is part of a choir, and this year they will be singing one or two sea shanties. The sea lifts my soul and my spirits, whereas Jacquie is “called to the mountains”. Whether she is in a valley looking up at the majestic peaks and the splendour surrounding her, walking along mountain paths or standing on a summit, her soul sings as she breathes in the fresh mountain air and lets her eyes roam across the wild beauty. She is filled with feelings of wonder, awe, joy and peace, and her spirit rises in praise to their and her Creator.

So there we have it - the importance of the soul when it comes to our response to creativity. We are all too aware when someone’s artistic interpretation ‘lacks soul’.

Which creative people have brought soul into your life?