19th May 2026 Mrs Lathika & Beena
When Mrs Lathika sent me this acrylic painting, I was immediately captivated. Aptly titled “Gathering,” the piece invites the viewer into a magnetic tableau: a circle of women, some gently cradling toddlers, all their energy converging on a central figure. The painting, rendered on a strikingly large canvas (3 x 2.5 feet), pulses with warmth, unity, and the quiet strength of collective purpose.
The painting instantly transported me to the work of Dr. Helen E. Fisher, the acclaimed biological anthropologist who illuminated the beauty of ancient hunter-gatherer societies. The Kung San people of Botswana, for instance, exemplify a rare and original egalitarian spirit—men and women share equally in the labour of hunting and foraging that sustains their lives. Children flourish in this nourishing atmosphere, cherished by the entire community. Every evening, the group circles up, voices weaving together as they share stories, seek understanding, and build solutions from their collective wisdom.
This artwork stirs a deep yearning for the enduring power of community—a sharp contrast to the more fragmented, individualistic world many of us inhabit today. While both approaches offer distinct strengths and inevitable limitations, the painting’s depiction of collective resilience and shared empathy feels profoundly timely and hopeful. I’m curious: What emotions or memories does this painting evoke in you?