Holy Empathy: “tell the world”
Through THE COMMISSIONS PROJECT, the beauty and justice initiative of
Natalie Salminen Fine Art, One Million Thumbprints has commissioned the painting,
Holy Empathy: “tell the world.”
One Million Thumbprints is an organization committed to seeking the end to violence against women and girls in conflict zones. Fueled by the story of Esperance, the Congolese woman who used her thumbprint as her signature with the request to “tell the world” her story, the heart and mission of One Million Thumbprints was born.
With thumbprint in hand, how does a story like Esperance’s and millions of other women and young girls’ stories come to light? Through empathy. “The only virtue muscular enough to meet the complexity of this moment. The brave, audacious power of empathy can save the world, and us,” says Belinda Bauman, founder of OMT and author of Brave Souls: Experiencing the Audacious Power of Empathy. And she’s right.
Believing that art “opens our souls to flourishing, and spiritual disciplines keep them open,” OMT desires that this work of art would awaken hearts and minds to empathy, the spiritual discipline most needed for our time. “Empathy is a spiritual discipline we pursue within our power so we can do something beyond our power,” says Bauman. May you be reminded through this painting that just as thumbprints, ferns, and galaxies are signs of a pattern repeating for infinity, the fractal of infinite love is upon and within us, beckoning us to love others without measure or limit.
“You cannot help but learn more as you take the world into your hands. Take it up reverently, for it is an old piece of clay, with millions of thumbprints on it.” - John Updike
Support One Million Thumbprints and millions of women and young girls in conflict zones around the world through art. This is creative advocacy for the common good.
Holy Empathy: “tell the world” asks us to listen. And act.
This listing is for a 16x20 (paper size) *press print* on Mohawk Eggshell paper, while the 18x24, 20x28 and 30x40 are fine art *giclees* on archival fine art paper, printed with archival inks. You’ll notice a price difference as such. No matter what size and quality you choose, half of print's profits will go directly to One Million Thumbprints. Yes!
Prints are shipped in a protective cellophane sleeve, mailed in a tube.
I love to please! Let me know what I can do for you. I’m happy to answer questions, discuss new projects with you, or help you begin a conversation about a commission. Don’t hesitate to drop me a line.
Say hi over on Instagram at @tuliptea and @studiohaiku.design - as well as at nataliesalminen.com.
“The Commissions Project is an artistic opportunity to provide beauty, holistic justice and hope through artwork that is generative, purposeful and culturally inspiring.”