Issue 5, 11 January 2026

Escape to reality

What terrible times we live in.

I was born towards the end of WWII in Oldham a town of dark satanic mills. Yet despite the privations of ration books, poverty and a childhood drenched in pollution and privation, those times now seem like the halcyon days.

Like a frog being slowly boiled in water as it heats up, we have not realised what has been happening until it has become too late.

Or has it?

The creation of civil society occurred over millennia, and the rule of law is a relatively new concept. At best it keeps the extremes of society in check both locally as well as internationally.

What we failed to see coming was the era of "entertainment" introduced by motion pictures and television. The effects of these modes of communication have been multiplied infinitely by the internet and social media. Like the poor souls in "A Brave New World" we have been captured by the hypnotic effect of these new temptations. For proof you only have to look at any room or mode of transport to see the number of people who are visually glued to their "smart" phones. Like Neil Postman said 25 years ago (about television) "We have amused ourselves to death".

Now, the "anything goes" mantra of postmodernism and neo-liberalism, and, more lately MAGA, has seen humanity electing monsters to govern them. We are back to feudal times where "Might is Right" and at the individual level "I'm alright Jack".

None of the above represents true reality. It is a horror show we have invented and occupied.

Two ways of dealing with our current circumstances are mentioned below. Personally, my own solutions are to first, bear witness to what I see, regardless of the peril this brings. Second, I escape to the true natural beauty of things through my art. We each need to mechanism of dealing with the unimaginable things we see each day.

If we don't then we become part of the problem.

David Kindon

11 January 2026

First major Exhibition of 2026

In Spring 2024 I held my first exhibition at the Strathnairn Arts Centre, located in an old Homestead in Belconnen, with spectacular views of the Brindabella Ranges.

The exhibition was called "Life's a Beach" and showcased my "Shores" collection of seascapes. I still Have some "Life's A Beach" Tee Shirts which I'm giving away free with every sale while stock lasts.

Since then, I've exhibited at Gorman Arts, Twyford Hall in Merimbula, Yarralumla Art Gallery, Saint Paul's Church Spring Festival, Canberra Contemporary Arts Society Members exhibition, and the Q Gallery "Belonging" exhibition.

I'm delighted to announce that my first exhibition for this year will again be held at Strathnairn Arts from 4 to 29 March in Homestead Gallery number one.

I'm calling it "Eyes Wide Open" for reasons I will explain below.

The Exhibition has two components. The first is Bearing Witness, to the plight of innocent Palestinians caught up in the conflict between two armed uncontrolled enemies. Our first inclination on being made aware of tragedies and atrocities such as these is to look the other way. It's the same with famine, rape and other atrocities against minority groups around the world. We would rather not know about it and turn a blind eye to unspeakable acts of violence against innocent people.

However, since I attended and "Authentic Leadership" course in Halifax, Nova Scotia, 20 years ago, I have forced myself turned towards trouble and to bear witness to issues and events which trouble me.

I hope this side of the exhibition causes the viewer to stop, reflect and bear witness to these realities.

The other side to "Eyes Wide Open" described a new direction in my practice.

I've discovered the opportunities provided by an extra wide canvas. A Broadsheet offers many more design options than does a Tabloid format. It is like a transition from the old standard cinema format to Todd AO or Vistavision! The effect (to me at least!) is quite stunning.

These works of peace and beauty could be seen to be in direct conflict with bearing witness. I believe they represent the irreconcilable ying and yang of conflict facing humanity. Aching beauty confronted by unbearable agony.

The wide canvases are 16" x 48" and provide the perfect circumstances for panoramic subjects. They are also used vertically in a large triptych. This format adds an IMAX perspective to my earlier movie screen analogy!

I will have more to say on the exhibition as the as opening day approaches.

Until Next time ...

I hope that I have haven't annoyed too many people with my comments in this Issue! However, at age 81 you begin wonder whether this is your final year and this then opens a torrent of issues you need to clear off your chest.

I am hoping to announce a second Exhibition later in the year at the Southern Highlands Artisans Collective (SHAC) in Robertson at the top of the Macquarie Pass in NSW.

Cheers

David Kindon

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