What guides and inspires us? What gives us energy and purpose in life? Just as the sun is the center of our solar system, for me the orb represents an ideal: that life force that gives us a sense of what we want to create in the world. The orbs, just like ideals, shine a light and radiate energy to all of us. 

 

In Passing Ideals, you see young people of different backgrounds passing orbs – ideals – to each other. Passing our ideals to one another, for discussion, dialogue and common purpose, is how I believe we create communities, bring people together and create environments where people can thrive collectively. We all hold values and ideals – how can we share them to spiritually enrich each other and therefore ourselves?

 

The young people look up to the orbs as they radiate to reflect the potential power of our ideals – to lift our gaze from the everyday and reach for new horizons. It’s what I’ve seen in the melting pot that is Detroit: people coming together to make common cause because they share ideals. It is what sparks joy and helps us look to the future.

 

The color palette is bold to show how our ideals bring full vibrancy to our lives. It is the palette of the verdant springtime in Detroit: the connection of the green of plants and gold of the sun.

 

I painted the sculpture alla prima – in one sitting – which means I paint in oils, wet on wet. Armed with the paint brush, knowing you have to finish it feels organic, energetic and gives the work itself the air of movement. It’s a bit old school and an exciting way to create.

 

I hope that in reflecting on Passing Ideals, you take time to consider the ideals that you have and how you share them with the people around you. Think on when you last asked someone about their ideals. They animate us and give us purpose, and yet, we don’t often talk about them explicitly. 

 

There is little more powerful than passing ideals to one another. Let’s get into a conversation about our ideals and create the world that lives up to them.

 

Hubert’s “If I could tell you just one thing…”

Celebrate people. We just need to celebrate human beings as individuals – to recognize them for who they uniquely are. The world would be a more joyful place if we began from a point of respecting one another and simply starting with love.