Essay by Luke Foster
“To remain indifferent to the challenges we face is indefensible. If the goal is noble, whether or not it is realized within our lifetime is largely irrelevant. What we must do therefore is to strive and persevere and never give up.”
Dalai Lama
I think the greatest things we can do in the developed world is share our excess and give money to those suffering great injustices of unnecessary poverty in the developing world. As it says in the title that I have been working on five installations for five Australian charities and I thought three were almost finished but realised these are the most important installations I have made so I should keep going for at least another week or two so the boxes they are in are full. I have seen first-hand the sort of suffering in the developed world during a visit to India over twenty years ago. However there, are other places in the world in the subcontinent, Middle East and Africa that I fear are even more arduous for those living there.
I try to sacrifice a coffee a day to donate five dollars each day to a different charity. My favourite charity in Australia is the Fred Hollows Foundation and I think I shall try to make an installation for them once I’ve finished these five installations.
“I believe the basic attribute of mankind is to look after one another.”
Fred Hollows
I also think not just giving aid is important but also providing education for everyone there so they have the skills to get jobs and make livelihoods for themselves is important too. A great role model for this particularly girls is Malala Yousafzai
Pakistani education activist who very deservedly won the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 17.
“I raise up my voice – not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard.”
Malala Yousafzai
I feel if the worlds leaders and big business give generously then the whole world will be safer too for everyone as the uneven distribution of wealth causes great animosity and conflict in the world.
“If you give up on the idea that your voice can make a difference then other voices will fill the void.”
Barack Obama
I did some book shopping a few weeks ago online but my mind is to scattered to read but it’s on my bucket list to read The Prophet by the deeply spiritual Lebanese writer Khali Gibran.
“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.”
Khalil Gibran
I almost made the mistake of not having an equal number of powerful male and female role models. My favourite female role model from Australia was the Saint Mary MacKillop.
I also think former first lady Michelle Obama is amazing.
“One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals. And so, when I hear about negative and false attacks, I really don’t invest any energy in them, because I know who I am.”
Michelle Obama
In conclusion I feel that humour, selfless giving and compassion are the greatest human attributes and its through creativity we can bring these into action. Also, altruism and giving to those less fortunate than you is important too.
Now here are some scanned in images from an artist book I made today for Oxfam Australia.
