DAVID McLEOD

David McLeod lives and works in Sydney, Australia. He is a professional TV and stage actor, singer, song writer and artist. When I left high school in the 70’s I wanted nothing more than to go to Art School and develop an ever-growing desire to create. My parents were dead against it, though said if I passed the entrance exam I could go. Of course, they thought that I would not pass, so when I did the good people that they were, true to their word though a little angry and very fearful for my future let me go. After two years full time at Art School I deferred as I fell into a music career which much to my, and my parents amazement picked up speed and became my full-time job for 30 years as a singer/songwriter, musician and actor Though I kept painting and drawing and continue to do so, this other side took over 24- 7 night and day. When in social settings be it a pub, picnic, party or chit chat at a bus stop the old chestnut of “what do you do for a living” would come up. If I would say “I’m a singer” I would always get one of two responses, there was rarely any neutral ground. People would say “ Ha ha what’s your real job” or “what do you do full time” Though generally people meant well the other thing that was common was “but what do you do all day” as if you just turned up to an engagement, wiggled your nose and magically sang danced or acted or you just whipped up a painting or wrote a novel in a few hours. There seemed to be a disconnect that there was no real skill set to be learnt in the arts and that it was just natural and or for the lucky, as if there was no training, practice, meetings, agencies, knocking on doors, and all the other rigour and self-discipline that goes into forming, selling and maintaining such a skill.

Though I still write and record, paint and draw, practice and train, I have now morphed into an academic lecturer and breathing retainer and now my response to the old chestnut is “I’m a teacher”.

- David McLeod © 2023.

Maggie Hall presently lives and works in Newcastle, Australia. Hall is an accomplished writer, poet and artist, who has been a regular contributor to ARTS ZINE.

I don’t think of my gifts as a disability. I often ponder the existence of a normality as it seems to depend on who is in political power and what religious factions are in conjunction deemed acceptable. What is not accepted as ‘normal’ in context is an unspoken but understood seek and destroy mission, an execution of what is feared and misunderstood, the unknown factor that cannot be controlled. The gifts that are not bestowed upon others bring out the weakness and jealousy in those who should know better. A reaction to destroy by any means the competition. If an ant does not fall into line and perform its duty it is either eaten or cast out of its community.

I am sure that George in his art and writings refers to those people who may drown trying to escape. Those whom are persecuted beyond any understanding. Executed because they read and write different letters and text. The only way for a social community to attain the sense of inner peace and worth is through the process of acceptance and acknowledgment. That individuals can think differently and react creatively with a separate vision and perspective without feeling ostracised and persecuted. I don’t see my gifts as a disability, quite the opposite. Nobody chooses where they are born and to whom. Nobody but the soul and spirit that guide’s each vision. We grow reflecting up the condition that surrounds us. We acclimate in response to our surroundings. It is impossible to compare one way of living with another. Especially when they are so far apart. Yet, for so many lifetimes this is what society has done, continues to do.

I was born lucky. We had a roof over our heads in a fortunate time of artistic and political change and support. In a place and country that focused on individual education and enrichment in early learning schools and groups. I had passionate parents who surrounded themselves with likewise companions. I grew up born different. And, because of this a life of constant environmental change, full of continuous challenge and social conflicts. It does not matter which society you are born into. Life will find a way to challenge your path and person, especially if you do not sign up to the expected papers and behavioural sciences.

- Maggie Hall © 2023.