This time ten years ago, I travelled to the Netherlands and Belgium where I experienced one intensely breath taking moment. Only today did I realize that I’ve had many similar ones here in Tareem albeit in different fashion.
In November 2007, I had sat for the last paper of the last exam of the last semester in law school. That same evening, was the flight and the base of the trip was to be an Observer at the United Nations International Court of Justice in the Hague where Malaysia and Singapore were settling a dispute famously known as the Pulau Batu Puteh case (White Rock Island).
A work of art.
There was in exhibition in Amsterdam where I witnessed the famous and remarkable painting by Van Gogh, the Sunflower.
In real life, its beauty was both intense and painful. At one point I wanted to give that painting a hug, and hold it extensively. I told some friends of this years later and it turned out to be a laugh for us but I also thought two things.
1. This can’t be explained for it must be tasted.
2. And they, have not.
Probably those who actually read about painting or tried it in similar ways painters do, would have acquired more than I did – due to either that knowledge or diligence, maybe both. The more you dig, the more you acquire.
The same elements apply for the painter cultivating his art.
Only that what I see here is that they are not painters but people. And their art is in their character, in their manner and importantly, their state. Many are of knowledge. Others of diligence. And some, both. Or perhaps more.
A work of God.
If you acquire just some learning about the path they are traversing and apply a little effort merely in witnessing them, you’ll get a slice of the great affair they are tasting.
