Edward Said

I read a review yesterday, by Edward Rothstein, of a book called On Late Style by Edward Said. The opening paragraph reads

“What artist does not yearn, some day, to possess a “late style”? A late style would reflect a life of learning, the wisdom that comes from experience, the sadness that comes from wisdom and a mastery of craft that has nothing left to prove. It might recapitulate a life’s themes, reflect on questions answered and allude to others beyond understanding.”

There’s some food for thought. What style are you working toward? I don’t think we are consciously aware of working toward a late style, and yet, we move inextricably toward it with each new work of art we create. Must a late style equate with being a certain age? Or, when we create more and more works, do we move faster toward our late style by having tried and discarded elements that represent our immature style?

I don’t have an answer. But I’ve just resolved to write more!

The post Toward a Late Style appeared first on Richard D. Russell.