The Painting that Awoke Me : Sky Revolution
As I stood in stillness, enveloped in silence, I felt a profound sense of overwhelm and awe—much like the feeling of witnessing a beautiful sunset or sharing a quiet, intimate moment with loved ones. Though I was observing the painting with my eyes, it felt as though my heart and soul were seeing it too. My soul, as if for the first time, opened its eyes—like a newborn taking in the world around it. In that moment, I was awake.Imagine a lost fish, drifting in the vast, uncharted ocean. If it keeps swimming, it will eventually find its way—whether to its intended destination or to someplace even better. But a fish that stops swimming, refusing to move forward, faces a quiet kind of death. The death may not be physical but can feel like loss of purpose or energy. To me, that is far worse than a physical death. By staying stuck, we rob ourselves of the endless possibilities waiting to come into fruition, just by swimming through the deep ocean.
The light—so subtle, almost like a whisper—was what first drew me in. The soft, glowing beams seemed to pulse with life, breathing energy into the canvas. As I took a step back, I became entranced by the vibrant colors, the way they fused together, allowing light to emerge through the darkness. It was as if I was gazing into the vastness of the universe itself, witnessing the beautiful chaos of life and existence coming to life through this painting. Each color, each stroke, every intricate detail felt essential to the piece—necessary for its creation. Every line, curve, and wave was its own work of art, thoughtfully crafted with intention. From every angle, the piece spoke differently, revealing new layers and meanings. Standing closer, it told one story; stepping farther away, it revealed another.
Sky Revolution: 143" x 143" | 2023 | Oil on Canvas - Bassim Al-Shaker
I couldn’t help but wonder how to make sense of it all. The painting, to me, felt like life itself—a paradox. It made sense, and yet it didn’t. I was filled with questions, but no answers—just personal meanings I had assigned to them. The truth, it seemed, was that my perspective was the only one that mattered, and the meaning of this piece, like life, was subjective. There was no singular truth—only the artist’s expression of the universe. I began to let go of the need to find meaning or answers while looking at the painting, instead focusing on how it made me feel—alive and awake.
And yet, one truth remained unchanged: regardless of the perspectives or meanings others might assign, it was the artist who had brought this universe into being. Through their inner chaos, they created something that awakened me—something that brought my soul to life.
The journey began because of this piece and the artist who brought it to life.
