Every week, we’ll be posting a new illustration by David Lester. The Mecca Normal guitarist is visually documenting people, places and events from his band’s 40-year run, with text by vocalist Jean Smith.
David’s illustration has a blind-leading-the-blind feel to it. Blind because they have no heads, but these folks appear to be trucking along pretty good without them. Maybe that’s what he’s saying here.
While none of the body types resonate with my family’s appearance, it seems to me that families are one of our social constructs that can tend to run on autopilot, repeating histories with members occupying specific roles whether we want them or not.
I’m not sure how non-creative people allow their sentiments about such things to be in front of them in the way that art does in words, music, paint or whatever. “Ice Floes Aweigh” is a bit of a cinematic, Raymond Carver-esque tale that leaps out onto the ice with nods to the tax man, endless cups of tea, Joni Mitchell and Mother Westwind, whoever she may be.
“Ice Floes Aweigh” from The Family Swan (Kill Rock Stars, 2002) (download):
