Perhaps the most famous or infamous , depending on your point of view, exsample of mythopoesis in the art world is that of Joseph Beuys . A phrase I have developed a certain affection for that is often used in connection with this is "problematic". I have never had a problem with Beuys's story of survival and transformation in the care of Tartar nomads and it interests me greatly , I find it in my mental health work as well, how literally we take things .
Is the truth always literal ? must it be literal to be true?
My current work obviously bears a connection to Beuys story - the only problem I would hope to avoid is grandiosity .

....living the life of an artist is not as important as living our life as a work of art." (Prechtel)

This line has engaged my thinking about this current work - how are we see our lives in this context ? My own answer is through metaphor , which this work draws heavily upon . Myth can be a rich source of connection to this world . When we read or listen to the great myths of the world or fairy stories our identification with characters or events within the story is not arbitrary - the story and our own lives collide and communicate with each other through metaphor .

This I remembered; I remembered the noise out in the street, the trains rattling by overhead above the studio, the cold dry smell of stone . My calloused hands, the holding of hammer and chisel, the dull thunk of their connection with stone . I remembered the intensity of patience , working stone , carving faces .

I didn't recognise this boy , I didn't remeber ever looking like that , I didn't remeber ever owning a suit of armour like that and I didn't remeber ever being photographed like that .