04/18/2026
‘Mourning in the future tense’ is an expression I heard lately that has been replaying in my mind, and another is ‘irrealis dread’, which apparently describes the sensation of anticipating a future that is already unfolding in a dark way. What a topic to bring here on a Friday morning, right? But I’d like to talk about it…
Almost every day, we hear in public discourse that the world we inhabit is rapidly dying; species, environments, systems, moral codes. Everyone I know on the front lines of things is exhausted. The ugly truth of human brutality is on full display. We flippantly use expressions like ‘the world is on fire’ and hear that war is getting closer to us (if is hasn’t already reached),while we helplessly have to carry on with doing the necessary things of survival. What choice is there?
To show up here each day as an artist then involves choices too, and a willingness to explore what an artist’s role is. Should I just come here and say ‘Hey, look at this children’s book!’, and speak of nice things? The part of me that wants to ensure my children’s provision wants to ‘stay in my lane’ in that way, to ensure my commercial success so the kids can have shoes and cereal.
But something else stirs more deeply. Somehow, I feel a pull as an artist to make a space for the communal expression of our feared futures, and not to stop there but to also make space for ideas of midwifing more hopeful alternatives. I get scared because that sounds more like a gaseous nebula than a plan, so I’m hesitating a lot. But it feels important to state aloud, urgent almost.
An environmental worker friend lately said to me that of course; they are fighting to avoid things dying but, even if they can’t prevent it, they want to be a witness to what is being lost. It instantly reminded me of a time long past working in hospice; witnessing endings, trying to offer dignity.
I don’t really know what I’m saying here yet but I’m saying it anyway. Despite the fear, I’d like to become more visibly three-dimensional as an artist and take the risks. If that resonates, then I’d love to know.
