#163: Don't hide your weaknesses
Chuck Close was born with a brain defect.
He had prosopagnosia - also known as face blindness or facial agnosia. It is a neurological disorder that prevents him from recognizing and recalling faces.
Anyone with such a disability would be devasted.
Not Close.
He started paying close attention to facial features so that he could remember people through their eyebrows or the shape of their noses, or the contour of their jawlines. Maybe that's why, at just 5, he resolved to become a painter.
His journey led him to Yale's art school, where he delved into pop art, minimalism, and various art forms. Succumbing to the abstract art trend of his time, Close sought to capture the intangible, unphotographable essence of his subjects.
At 27, struggling to find his creative voice and facing financial challenges, he became an art teacher in New York. But his frustration persisted. His artworks were deemed average and devoid of distinctiveness, lacking a signature touch.
Yet, through tireless experimentation, Close stumbled upon a breakthrough. Utilizing a polaroid picture of a face as his guide, he meticulously recreated it on a monumental 9-foot canvas. Because of his unique perspective, his rendering was exquisitely detailed, capturing even minute aberrations and micro-expressions.
This foray into hyper-realistic painting propelled him to the forefront of photorealistic art. A whole new school of art where the details are intensely sharp and accurate.
Hug your handicap
Chuck Close's extraordinary style emerged when he embraced his own flaw.
Conventional wisdom often advocates for concealing or overcoming weaknesses, but Close's story underscores the power of embracing perceived flaws. These unique traits set individuals apart and provide a wellspring of creative potential.
Everyone's good in the known ways. Every painter understands form and colors. Every artist knows how to use a paintbrush correctly. But weaknesses are unique. They set you apart from the crowd.
In the annals of history, the Leaning Tower of Pisa stands as a testament to the allure of imperfections. Its foundation's instability caused the tower to tilt, transforming it into a globally recognized icon, and drawing visitors from far and wide. The tower's flaw is its unique selling point, highlighting how weaknesses can be synonymous with uniqueness.
Uniqueness could become your strength
Ludwig van Beethoven celebrated as one of history's greatest composers, confronted his own vulnerability. Deafness threatened to silence his musical genius, prompting him to adapt his compositions.
While coming to terms with his deafness, Beethoven's work gained an unmistakable tension, as he incorporated higher notes less frequently due to his hearing limitations. Ultimately, his acceptance of his deafness and the detachment from physical sound ignited a creative spark, yielding mathematically precise masterpieces.
The path to converting weaknesses into uniqueness starts with acknowledgment. Following acceptance comes the pivotal step of amplification, harnessing these characteristics to forge one's distinctive identity.
Schwarzenegger’s acumen
Arnold Schwarzenegger, an iconic figure in cinema, was advised to get rid of his accent and modify his name. But his accent has made him more memorable.
His simple phrases “Get to the chopper” and “I’ll be back” become catchphrases.
Interestingly, Schwarzenegger did heed the advice and got rid of his accent by practicing for hours every day. In fact, he can speak without an accent if he wants to. Yet he chose not to follow through and opted to amplify his accent instead. This choice set him apart, propelling him to superstar status among action heroes.
Chuck Close’s second handicap
Close confronted a second, devastating challenge. In 1988—a seizure rendered him paralyzed below the neck.
Faced with adversity, he languished in a tranquil depression until his wife's encouragement spurred him to paint anew.
Holding a brush in his teeth, he persevered and conjured miniature paintings.
As mobility gradually returned to his upper arm, Close affixed a brush to his wrist, painting for fleeting seconds at a time. Undeterred, he reinvented his approach, using dots to craft abstract headshots, forging yet another signature style.
Another example of someone who turned their weakness into their style is the renowned artist Vincent van Gogh. He struggled with mental health issues throughout his life, which often hindered his personal well-being and relationships.
However, he channeled his emotions and struggles into his artwork, producing a unique and impactful style that is characterized by bold brushstrokes, vibrant colors, and expressive compositions.
Van Gogh's emotional turmoil and mental struggles became integral to his artistic expression, resulting in paintings that convey a sense of raw emotion and intensity.
His works, such as "Starry Night" and "Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear," are celebrated for their distinctive style and profound emotional resonance, showcasing how he transformed his weaknesses into a powerful and recognizable artistic approach.
Do you have a weakness?
Why not turn it into your uniqueness?
Acknowledge it and accept it.
Then amplify it. Perhaps you will find your signature style.
After 25 years in the corporate world, she stepped down to care for her mother and suddenly, the words poured out.
Her writings have appeared in anthologies and literary magazines and her flash blog is followed internationally. I love her sketchbook stories.
Keep going buddy, your feet are growing to fill your parents’ (and grandparents’) shoes.
That’s all from me this week.
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OMG I didn't know my face recognition problem could have a name! I can spend a whole afternoon at someone's house and not recognise them the next day if we meet in the street. I also try to reconstruct faces from the mouth to the outside, you killed me with this, Neera.
I loved this post ❤️
I think I have plenty of weaknesses that need a hug and some amplification. This post is one of my favorites, Neera!