Tuesday 26 April 2016

40 Pages of Pilgrimage Film Documentation



This short film is the documentation of the dividing up of Hazel's artist journal. 

40 days walking, 40 pages of art and writings journalled in Hazel's Pilgrim Diary. 

In September and October 2015, Hazel embarked on and completed her 40 day pilgrimage journey. 40 pages were created, documented and sent out to Page Pilgrims who had bought a page upfront by choosing a number from her book. 

Hazel is currently composing and writing the book to tell the story of her pilgrimage journey, her experience, reflections, drawings, poetry and why she did it. 


About Hazel:
As a multi-disciplinary artist, Hazel Evans uses illustration, poetry, sound, performance and installation as she blurs the boundaries between illustration and performance.

Threads that run through Hazel's work include themes of communication, scientific and self discovery as well as journeys. Hazel's art practice explores interior and exterior landscapes of the body, mind and soul; how we situate ourselves as beings in our external environments and the stories we hold in our bodies.

© Hazel Evans 2015 - 2016


Tuesday 12 April 2016

Shadow Dancing in The Palace

A poem I wrote on the reflections of the awakening soul. 

Inspired by my own personal journey and the folklore stories of The Red Shoes, Rapunzel and Cinderella.


Shadow Dancing in The Palace

Ode to the seduction
Delicious in the dark
Safe so spacious comfort
In discomfort you stay apart

Separate from your shining self
The soul of who you really are
Seductive ego dancing
Those red shoes carry you far

Dancing dancing into the night
Decadent smiling faces
Emerging from the shadows
Alluring in dark places

Inner chaos
Anger, frustration, fear, pain
Step outside your pain-body to see
The ego fighting you again

Take a moment of reflection
just a moment to see
that all that is happening
belongs not to you and me

Stories from the past
condition our today
Patterns replay unconsciously
And haunt us in every way

Anger smothers sadness
Hooked from memories before
Times when we've been let down
And now we fight to score

So the battle is never over
And we choose to live in the dark
Expectations never fulfilled
Disappointment fuels the spark

We live out the story
Avoiding the poisoned cup
Afraid to let the ego die
for what it might drag up

So we learn to cover the mirror
Avoid to see inside
The truth of our hurting
And prefer to live in lies

A messy web of avoidance
everything of pain
Inside the castle walls so high
Never to be seen again

Loyal guardians on every entrance
Pretending to be so strong
For a moment you'll feel protected
thinking here's where you belong

But the truth has ways of leaking
It seeps though barricades
Wearing masks of ego
That come in many shades

Creeping through the darkness
Leaking through every wall
Distortions of your every self
Dance you till you fall

Dancing through the crowds
At your masked ball of delight
Twirling in colourful costumes
Disguised in the night.

'Take this pill of unconsciousness'
Whisper voices of your fears
'Best not show your true self
You've been so hurt through the years'

'I'll keep you safe, I am your friend
Just slip into illusion
Come dance with me into the dark
We'll enjoy this party of delusion'

Smoking the pipe of disbelief
trance into your shadow self
Proud to hide emotions
Giving you sense of wealth

And for every penny pocketed
You'll wear your medals with pride
Dancing like a peacock
Whist your soul is left to hide

'Come dancing with me' shadows sing
'I'll dance you into the void
A-void-dance thus not to see
So your mind stays employed'

Dancing still dancing
Twirling through nights and days
Faces, places, leave no traces
Life feels like it's a blaze

But in this powerful palace
Illusions leak from every wall
The face showing off gets so tired
Dancing the eternal ball

Your feet, they get so weary
Wrinkled face behind the mask
Sadness in this lonely space
How long can this facade last?

Cracks appearing on every wall
As truth leaks its path
Your paintings cover pealing layers
No longer holding fast

All guests have left the party
Some have woken for the muse
Some have bitten the apple
Yet you're still dancing in red shoes

And in the darkened corridor
A soft and lonesome voice
Echoes through now empty rooms
You know you have a choice

Visit the place in this lonely home
A place you have disowned
Dark, dusty, with a hidden key
Where all visits are postponed

Inside the mirrors stay covered
To defend your precious life
Because visions of the truth
Feel like a cutting knife

See the battle is never over
When we choose to ignore our pain
We project it onto others
So they are the ones to blame

We think it keeps us safe
So we don't have to show
The vulnerable little self inside
Still hurting from long ago

Pass over the responsibility
And wear the face of smile
Wear the mask of victim
So you're not guilty in the trial

But hurt people, hurt people
And deny their source of fear
Pretending to be someone else
And lock in every tear.

The ones wearing beautiful masks
In the theatrics of the ego
Are the ones who are also hurting
Who keep fighting to be the hero

Do you think it could be possible
For you to lift away the veil
On every single dusty mirror
Hanging in your self made jail?

Own up to your darkness
Choose the lantern bright
Dare to show your vulnerable self
And give up this useless fight?

Put down the knife
Allow yourself to cry
It's okay to feel emotions
And give up the living lies

Come down from your tower
And feel your beating heart
It's safe to take the masks off
And make a shining start

Stop the never ending music
Of the chorus of the mind
Sink into your body
Join the soul you left behind

Take off your dancing shoes
Peal off layers from the wall
Start taking down the bricks
Go to the voice down the hall

You know where the key is
Upon your heart inside a locket
As the inner voice calls so loud
It's no longer fair to block it

The tiny self silenced inside
Has been calling for attention
To come out and see the light
Break free from false convention

Yes, reach for the door
Unlock your way to truth
Listen to your inner wisdom
halt the battle, call a truce

Open up the curtains
Let light flood inside
Feel the warming glow
Of your heart beat so alive

It's time to lift the veil
Upon the mirror to your soul
Allow soft power, vulnerability
Let yourself feel whole

You don't need those shoes
To dance your way into the light
Surrender for truth to shine in
And let your soul shine bright.

© Hazel Evans 2016