The Art is in the Listening, Acorn Open Day, Alloa

Already I had planned to spend the day in Alloa – now I could participate in an active way. My introduction to Acorn Scotland came about when the national committee invited me to install “The Listening Seat” at the Acorn Open Day in September. Much later in the process, they asked if I’d be interested in being present at the Open Day as an artist. I said yes. Already I had planned to spend the day in Alloa – now I could participate in an active way. I packed lots of art materials, prepared big sheets, long rolls and small pieces of good quality paper and told myself “Be open, be prepared, respond to what people bring to you. Listen!” Simple, but scary!


By the end of the opening address, I knew I wanted to structure a collaborative painting around the Triquetra. It is an ancient Gaelic symbol that represents unity, harmony and diversity, confirming that we are constantly held in and by God’s infinite love. As the newly-adopted logo, it would have an immediate appeal for Acorn members.

I began to draw, setting up on a large table near the bookstall. I asked for ideas, suggestions. Two of us began painting a rich blue background. Laura Matzka and her Mum called by; I could sense Laura’s enthusiasm. She especially liked the idea of making a scroll about listening and asked the kitchen to save tea-bags so she could “age” the paper before drawing onto it. Meanwhile we explored the large painting. 

Everything about the large work was collaborative. I sketched out the Triquetra - a vessel through which ideas could be held in form and given context. Passers-by contributed suggestions on colour and images; we discussed them, listened and responded. The stream of light – blue, clear – mapped the path of the dove, spirit of peace, every listener’s true guide. It wove its way through the Triquetra, at whose heart we placed the Christian cross. Laura considered the suggestion of hands in prayer, then said: “Open hands! God’s hands are releasing the dove!” “Perfect” I said, “You model them, I’ll draw!” Soon her brothers Robert, Christopher and James joined in and time flew as we worked away. Robert took inspiration from the playbus parked outside to draw his own extraordinary bus, driven by a robot, with Jesus on the cross in the downstairs compartment and jolly passengers above, oblivious. Christopher took the labyrinth or maze as his emblem – a very thoughtful image of seeking or navigating one’s way. James painted the cross at the heart of the picture. Every minute held revelations for me and for those who watched us work. It was a meditation. As we edged closer to completion, the table was cleared for Laura to “compose” her scroll. Its simplicity held a deep resonance for all of us, the message skilfully conveyed in words and just a few drawn lines on the tea-stained parchment. 

A well-tuned ear picks up -
sound of laughter, autumn leaves, happy voices, problems, scared voices, singing, crying, wind, sea crackly fire, animal cries, sounds of the forest, prayers, God’s voice songs, rain, friends in need LISTEN
It was very moving to watch the scroll come together quickly, fluently – the culmination of the day’s creative work for Laura - and for us as well. What a proud bunch we were, standing before the day’s participants, showing off our colourful and thoughtful contributions! 

It was my privilege to create with such a talented young team and to participate actively in the Acorn Open Day. “The Listening Seat” was also well received, but was a wee bit off the beaten track and possibly not in its ideal setting on that day. Over in The Baptist Church at the art table, the way we invited contributions to the collaborative artwork was really satisfying. It allowed a visual expression for big ideas that don’t easily emerge through words alone. Would I have created any of this artwork on my own in a studio? Definitely not. Collaboration, seeking unity, listening was at the heart of what we made. I hope it will inspire many more creative ways of listening within the Acorn community. 

Déirdre Ní Mhathúna
November 2009