Reflection inspired by the Calabash Bowl series in I And My Miles: A Talle Bamazi Retrospective on view from January 1-March 27 at the Schumacher Gallery, Capital University, Columbus, Ohio.
Note: Gallery closed March 2-10 for midterm break
These Bowls by Mary van Balen
The calabash wide open, drips move down the canvas source unseen, around the bowl into the bowl heading toward a shelf of color. Sitting on a bench I am present to a ribbon of bowls running along the wall like favorite cards I clip to a string draped from door hinge to door hinge across my living room wall reminding me of friends and moments and hope.
These bowls - gourd gifts which first are food then hold sustenance after their flesh is eaten and their shells dry - receive again and again whatever comes, offering to those who scoop or drink or taste what has been given to be given. They're brave, these bowls, taking what comes letting go what’s needed.
Resources
Talle Bamazi Retrospective on display at Schumacher Gallery, Capital University in New Americans Magazine blog
Mary, I cannot tell a lie. I had to look up what a calabash is. Thanks for the new word!
I love the bowls as a metaphor for us in your poem. And indeed, I hope to be as brave as they – to allow myself to be be scooped out and then to scoop in something new, taking what comes, leaving what’s needed…
Deep bow of gratitude to you, my friend.
Thank you, Anita. Always good to expand one’s vocabulary : )
We are bowls unique and each filled and emptied many times during during life! Thank you for sharing !!
You’re welcome, Mary Ellen. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Beautiful words from the beautiful mind and beautiful heart of a beautiful soul.
Thank you, Nancy.
Mom forwarded your column to me. Thanks for sharing the lovely thoughts – Having recently made a calabash bowl myself for the first time, I like the idea of bowls being brave =)
What a lovely surprise to hear from you! I’m glad your mom shared the column. The complete openness of the bowls struck me as very brave. Thank you for writing. How interesting that you’ve recently made one yourself. How do you use yours?
In the tradition I was taught in, the teachers said that bowls are meant for holding, not standing empty – so to make sure you use it for more than just display. Currently mine is holding crafting supplies that I have gathered from the environment (seeds & shells and cotton fluff). =)
An interesting thought to sit with, Florence, the “is-ness” of a thing. What something is made for, It’s purpose. “A bowl is made for holding.” It can catch rain water or water from a spring and keep it util someone or some creature or some thing needs it to quench thirst. It can hold rice or soup or fruit or wine. It can provide a home for treasures or earth-gifts as yours does. Today outside the grocery store, I saw bowls holding the soft riot of pansies’ spring colors. On a shelf in my bookcase, two bowls hold weathered whelk shells and pieces I never tire of seeing. Whatever they hold, they are true to the essence of being a bowl!
What of other parts of creation? Thomas Merton wrote in New Seeds of Contemplation: “A tree gives glory to God by being a tree. For in being what God means it to be it is obeying [God]. It “consents,” so to speak, to [God’s] creative love. It is expressing an idea which is in God and which is not distinct from the essence of God, and therefore a tree imitates God by being a tree”
And what of rocks and seas and creatures and plants? And what of us? What are human persons meant to be? Are we holders of a Divine Spark to share with the world? To transform it? Each is unique in what one is given to hold and express?
Thank you, Florence, for providing such rich imagery and an opportunity to appreciate the gift of all things. I won’t look at bowls in quite the same way!
such a moment of loveliness…thank you
Thanks, Anne. The paintings are so evocative. A reminder of the power and grace of art.
You posts are always inspiring Mary. As I lie here on the couch recovering from a bout with COVID I enjoyed both your poem and the bowl pictured. I wish I had something deep and meaningful to add but now I just crave a bowl of Won Ton soup.Virtual hugs, Karen
Sorry you’ve been sick Karen and glad you enjoyed the column. Thanks for writing. Hope you get your soup!