Encounters in the little church
The heritage site in our hamlet of “Le Charaix” is a small church dating from around the 12th century. It has no heating, running water or plumbing. By the year 2000, it was in ruins. A local heritage conservation society was then founded: the renovation budget had been exhausted by the time a new roof had been fitted to the restored walls.
Only during the warm months, a few events are organised. We joined the association in 2026, and on the afternoon of Sunday 31 May, I was the hostess there for an art exhibition.
Light and airy
The artist was also present. At the end of the day, we had the opportunity to chat for a while. The artworks were tailored to the site: made from bent and stripped blackberry branches as a frame, with white wrapping paper inside – double sheets, each painted separately.
They hang from a thin thread, allowing them to move freely. To see them, you need to look up. Because of the double outline and the sunlight, it’s impossible to view any single drawing on its own. It’s a light-hearted scene.
The artist’s message was also light-hearted: “Don’t take life too hard”. Just before that, I’d had a philosophical conversation with two elderly people about “humanity and the creation of challenges”. In my conversation with the artist, I made a connection and asked him, “What challenges in your life have led you to these creations and your authenticity?”.
Deep respect
He mentioned his son, who died at the age of 13. At the time of his birth (in 1999), that son had initiated a process with his father to explore what is regarded as ‘normal’ in our society and what is not. And why is that the case? But can you look at it differently? He was a remarkable child, ‘outside the norm’.
When he said that he had started out as an artist in 2000, the answer became clear to me. This boy had chosen a short life spent in total devotion to helping his father flourish and reach his full potential. In doing so, this boy fulfilled his own life’s mission and set his father on the path to his own.
Looking at things differently: that’s what it’s all about now.
This lad was anything but ordinary: he was extraordinary!
Deep respect is certainly called for here.
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