Introduction

Identity matters. Most people have their identity defined by the external world. They take it seriously. It’s life or death for them and there is no humour, honesty or even a playful attitude about such a topic. In this blog post I will discuss how I found my own pen/artistic name and how this identity has an affect on my art and life at large.

Foundations

In a previous post, (you can find below this section) I discuss how play and joy were the foundation of my art. Once I realised this, I discovered that what I was really looking for in my poetry was to take this idea further.

I wanted my art to represent a playground. I wanted my life to represent this too. Upon realising this, I discovered that we are constrained by identity and I certainly was. I was taking abstractions connected to my own identity too seriously and I knew that Jestora was my way out.

Purpose of My Poetry

Jestora represents a playground and a beautiful space where we can explore our creative energies, ideas, insights and intuitive insights. My mission is to bring poetry, ideas and energy to life and to create a playground where people can explore, play and be inspired.

My vision is a world where curiosity, play and creativity transforms everyday life into a living playground for everyone. To return briefly to the foundations, my values are:

• Play
• Curiosity
• Creativity
• Courage
• Connection

I propose a different view to the poetry community. Whereas poetry is seen as a serious topic, I aim to make life playful, poetic and full of wonder. I am to use my art to create an experience you can feel, laugh with and step into.

Unlike traditional poetry or intellectual spaces, I create a living world and a playground for people to explore, play and be inspired.

This unique aspect is why the tagline for my brand is ‘off-script’.

Why my poetry will make the world a better place?

All religions discuss why the world is an illusion and something not to take too seriously, for good reason. It’s usually the most serious people who end up causing the most disaster and trauma to the world. The people who take their identity too seriously that they become fanatical.

Its their way or the high way and being so convinced, they assume (even logically) that the next step is for them to gain power and force others to follow them. People fight for land, nationalism and their interpretation of faith. In the name of the sacred they break the sacred.

It reminds me of a quote from the film the kingdom of heaven:

“Holiness is in right action, and courage on behalf of those who cannot defend themselves, and goodness. What God desires is here [points to head] and here [points to heart] and what you decide to do every day will make you a good man…or not.” 

My poetry creates a space, a playground so that human beings can get away from the savage battlefield. Jestora from the words (Jest and Aura) is the man who does this. An identity, yes but one that anyone can become. One that I am now.

Towards a Joyous Cosmology – The Foundations of my Art