I have resisted sharing the most famous work of this artist, The Scream, though the times do seem to call for it. Instead I am sharing this work done by Edvard Munch with his signature blend of reality and inner despair. You may recognize The Scream arm position repeated here. The monochromatic palette  is impactful, revelatory and troubling.

Edvard Munch was a Norwegian artist of the Expressionist and Symbolism Schools. His life was colored by the loss of his mother and sister to tuberculosis and the mental illness that was experienced by his family members. He himself is thought to have suffered from hysteria and hypochondria. This work is tied to an actual storm that hit the seaside village of Asgardstrand. It is also tied to the inner distress of the residents and Edvard Munch.

The Storm brings us to the inner distress some of us and some of the people around us may be feeling now. It speaks to us of an invitation in our current gloom to reach out and to reach in with the people around us. This now seems to be a common dialogue – “How are you?”  “I’m ok.” Have you had this exchange? Daily? It seems to beg for more conversation; for follow up questions. It seems to call us to time truly set aside for asking more specifically and listening more deeply.

In this work, Munch shows one individual alone in the foreground and a small group behind her. The possible opportunity portrayed is to invite her back into the present community and to surround her with shared concern and support. We have these opportunities each day and we can thank the masterwork of this broken-hearted artist for his reminder.

May we each open ourselves to the collective and often hidden pain around us. May we make eye contact above our masks and have conversations of social distance and sincere caring.

We are not alone. We are connected at the heart of all things in the love of God, our Creator. Everyone needs everyone now. Let’s seek and find gratitude and blessing together.

In hope and faith,

Sandy Prouty

Minister of Children and Families

Montview Church