Raise Your Sword In The Storm

“Raise Your Sword In The Storm”
Winsor And Newton Griffin Alkyd Oils on stretched Belgian linen. This piece has been removed from its frame and comes rolled in a tube. Photos of the piece in a recent exhibition have been included.

“Raise Your Sword In The Storm”
I modified this piece. I thought there was a part to be left blank, for the linen to speak of an imagining by itself. What I didn’t realise was that something had to happen first, and then the rest of the piece would suddenly be spoken. I knew the title only today, but now as I write this I realise, the rest of the painting was revealed by fire, as all of us are if we are to realise our full potential.
Sure, this piece is about me, it’s about my honey, but it’s also about you, it’s about the war on your senses that if it could, would entrap you within the cinema. It would have you believe the cinema was the world. Feed you in there, house you, comfort you.
Stand up.
Remember who you are. Remember whose you are. Look around, find your nearest isle and walk out. Break free from your self imposed limitations and the stronghold that the enemy would keep upon you if it could. Step out into the light.
Who were you meant to be? Who is little Grace? Who is little Nick, little Vicky, little Mark, little Vania, little Simon, little Jo? The original one. the innocent one. Whoever reads this, who needs this, these words are for you. Your name is written here. The little one within you is saying hey, please see me, I’m not a screw up, something happened to me! Please, I want to trust you to see me as I truly am, as I was made, and tell me it’s OK, that I’m OK. I want to come out and be everything I was created to be.
Well I’m here to tell you. I’m here to welcome you out:
Hey…Hi there. Look at you, how beautiful you are. I know something happened. I know it wasn’t you and it wasn’t yours. It wasn’t your malevolence, it wasn’t your betrayal. I know that you are made of brilliance. You are good. You. Are. Good.
The thing that happened, the enemy meant it for harm, but you are God’s property. You’re going to come out of the fire with double. You’ve been given everything you need to meet your destiny.
Stand up in a holy power. Raise your sword in the storm. You are about to walk out of that fire without the smell of smoke.
“Raise Your Sword In The Storm”
Winsor and Newton Griffin Alkyd Oils on stretched Belgian Linen
1.85m x 1.45m

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Collected both nationally and internationally New Zealand born Australian based multi award-winning artist Jo S. Stacey has work held in private collections in six countries across the globe. Her work has also been leased privately to help showcase multi-million dollar properties here in Australia. In 2023 her piece "Three Clydes" won best in show (AU$1,000) at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, and "Not Through Me" won the figurative section (AU$2,000). This year her work "Behind These Eyes" won best in show at the 1770 Art Show judged by Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) Assistant Director Tarragh Cunningham (AU$5,000).
Jo is faith driven with a passion for life and is inspired by simple moments in time that present themselves to us at any given moment. These brushes with life often feel magical or profound, and yet appear in seemingly ordinary environments to the watchful eye and waiting spirit. Sometimes they materialise in the back garden, a street corner, down at the beach while riding the horse, in our dreams or even in a conversation. These moments and conversations often feature in her work. We hope you enjoy.