The Perfection Paradox

Have you ever noticed that something seemingly perfect doesn’t hold the same beauty as something with subtle imperfections? Think a moment on one of your favorite pieces of clothing. Perhaps one you have owned for some time and has subtle indications of being worn. I imagine it might be your favorite jeans if I was willing to make a guess. Do you notice the emotional connection you have to the piece and its subtle imperfections and signs of wear and tear?

A place where I’ve come to appreciate the beauty in imperfection is in working on a piece of art. A lot of the work I make has symmetry and pattern. Yet, the pieces of the patterns that don’t fit or aren’t quite as I intended often give the piece the feeling that I want to communicate. The beauty lies in those imperfect aspects of the work which communicate the emotions and true feelings.

To further illustrate where I am going here, I suggest that we all take the time and patience to sit with imperfections. Maybe the “mistake” isn’t a mistake at all. Maybe it is the idea that was placed in our minds somewhere along the way but that isn’t serving us. The “mistake” may not be a mistake but a bias developed from things we learned or were told.

I feel fortunate that I can explore these concepts and the power they have in my artistic process.These concepts apply so much further than that. The idea of sitting with the imperfections and patiently observing can bring an awareness and appreciation for the beauty that lies in imperfection. Afterall, aren’t we perfectly imperfect humans?