READY OR NOT, HERE SHE CAME

Some Brief Comments about the film, “Hilma”

by Mountain Shadow Director, John Bennison

Once again, Mountain Shadow is excited to bring to the silver screen a cinematic presentation of another visual artist, in a continuing series of bio-pics about both well-known and little-know painters. Remember ‘My Rembrandt,’ or ‘Tove,’ ‘Loving Vincent,’ or ‘Paula?’ (Available in the Member Lending Library)

For those of us who may be unfamiliar with her work, the story of the Swedish artist, Hilma af Klint (1862-1944) is enlightening on a number of fronts. She not only initiated – rather she might have re-framed it to say discovered – ‘impressionism’ on canvas; but did so through various mediums that were highly unconventional for her time, e.g. the Theosophical Movement, same-sex relationships and (purportedly) psychedelic drugs.

But her broader story is not unlike the human tales we share and recognize; dealing with life and loss, a search for meaning, and appreciation of the creative spirit to question, challenge, seek and inspire. In a sentence or two, the reminiscence of a childhood game of hide-and-seek with her younger sibling may have inspired her to respond with her lifelong passion and unconventional life style to persevere and explore life with her self-styled mantra, “ready or not, here I come!” jb