The Missing Piece

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted iniHeart, LadyBudd, Madeleine L'Engle, Sunday Evening Reflection, WalkingTags:, , ,

When I walk to a favourite bakery, I chose a path that will take me by “The Missing Piece” mural by the artist iHeart. There is a positive energy that comes from the message of a young girl finding a missing piece and reaching up on her tiptoes to find its rightful place in the heart.

I think of the words of Madeleine L’Engle, from her book Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art: “The discipline of creation, be it to paint, compose, write, is an effort towards wholeness.” This year, we will find our missing pieces in our everyday interactions and our creative endeavours. Our journey to wholeness begins afresh each day.

The Vancouver Mural Festival App states that “This mural was part of Vancouver Festival’s first ever festival in 2016. The stencil piece of a girl putting a puzzle part into a heart is by artist iHeart, a Vancouver -based street artist who creates social commentary through his work. Many of his pieces frequently examines the growing role of social media in our world and are produced as graffiti. The artist works in secret, using his monicker to protect his identity.”

Published by Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

58 thoughts on “The Missing Piece”

  2. I love it! 😀 Very touching art work and reminds me of U.K. based Bansky and his street art, also working in secret! As for the girl, I fear she needs a helping hand to slot the last piece into place! 😀

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I know that you, my dear friend, have helped many people slot the last piece into place through your gift of storytelling. I understand that Bansky knows and appreciates iHeart’s work. Art and stories bring us together. And that gives me great comfort.

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Isn’t it fun to travel the world from our kitchen table. I am missing Scotland so am now reading Alexander McCall Smith’s 44 Scotland Street series and watch Rebus on Acorn TV. I am delighted you joined me on the back alleys of Vancouver. There is always an adventure when we take the less travelled pathways. Hugs and more hugs.

      Liked by 4 people

  4. Dear Rebecca,
    we REALLY really love this piece of art. It reminds us of Banksy. These graffiti are the post-modern kind of art with a political background we like.
    Lots of love and wishing you a wonderful week
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Dear Klausbernd, Your discussions on art as a social comment has giving me insight into how art challenges our cultural values. These murals have an embedded call to action. I have read in several articles that iHeart does not like fame and prefers to remain, like Banksy, unknown. Back in 2014 his mural “Nobody Likes Me” generated notoriety when Banksy mentioned him. “This artwork has gained worldwide attention online, including from Banksy, one of the street art world’s biggest names. iHeart received an endorsement from Banksy through his Facebook page. It went viral almost instantly – within only a day, the photo on Banksy’s Facebook page has clocked 117,000 likes and 13,500 shares! https://www.widewalls.ch/artists/iheart. Sending much love and hugs to my dear friends, The Fab Four of Cley!

      Liked by 3 people

    1. I am thrilled that you travelled to Vancouver to meet up with iHeart and me. We live in a very uncertain time. In all the noise and confusion, it is the still small voice that has power. Your compassion and dedication to seeking positive outcomes, inspires me, Paulette. I am so glad that we entered 2021 together.

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  7. Oh, Rebecca, you always find such beautiful gems on the highways and by-ways (and alleys) of Vancouver, but really the whole world! This simple image of a child straining on her tippy-toes to place the missing piece evokes so many thoughts and feelings: Suffer the little children; Bob Marley’s song One Love, Love your neighbor…,the divisions among family, friends and nations for so many reasons that affect children adversely, but most importantly—our ability to be that missing piece. I appreciate the bright colors and hope the secretive street artist uses. With the simplicity of kindness and humility, we can move forward in perilous times to wholeness. I return your wide open hugs…

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Your mention about Bob Marley’s song, One Love, reminded of “Playing for Change” which was an organization created in 2002 to connect the world through music. You may have already heard about this unique approach, but in case you haven’t, Playing for Change records and films musicians performing in their home countries and then bring them together in a video. The first video I viewed was “Stand by Me.” But they also did Bob Marley “One Love.” Check out this link: https://youtu.be/BBdaBYVJlUQ Thank you for your hugs!!! Sending some back your way.

      Liked by 3 people

      2. Isn’t it interesting how they used videos to take us virtually around the world and give the message that we are all connected – a message that is even more powerful in our current reality.

        Liked by 2 people

    1. I am learning to be a tourist in my home time. I just read an article about a young women who had her travel plans to a location outside Canada cancelled. Instead, she put on a mask and travelled Vancouver using the Skytrain. There are many stories left to explore in Vancouver. I’m delighted to have your company. Hugs!

      Liked by 4 people

    1. I am so glad you joined me on this walk, Dave. iHeart’s work is very much like Banksy with messages that are hard hitting and challenge the core of our societal values. He has another mural of a young boy crying named “Nobody Likes Me,” that speaks to our need for attention on social media. “The work depicts a boy who’s sad and dissatisfied with the fact that he has zero likes, mentions and followers on his Instagram account.” And this was in 2014. Check out this link: https://www.widewalls.ch/artists/iheart

      Liked by 4 people

  12. This meaningful artwork on a back street of Vancouver on your way to buy articles in a bakery is so very well done. And, by an artist who hides his identity even using a monicker! It is worth an important place with other outstanding artists. But, maybe this art that the artist has chosen to place in a back street brings added value. Thank you for sharing, it has brought to my mind all the very important works that is often hidden. We should keep our eyes wide open! !

    Liked by 4 people

    1. I agree, Frances – the idea of the alley adds to the message. Most times we walk on the sidewalk where we see the best side of buildings. Back alleys are where the loading docks and garbage bins are kept. It is where the real work begins. We should definitely keep our eyes wide open!!

      Liked by 3 people

    1. I am delighted that you enjoyed the artwork. I find it heartening to be able to walk together from a distance. There are so many stories to share along the way, my dear friend. Hugs and lots of love! Heading over to your place now!

      Liked by 4 people

  17. This is a really beautiful piece, Rebecca.
    So happy to see you in the alley!
    We need to walk together in the back roads of our communities.
    Thank you fo this!
    {{{HUGS}}}

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Resa – you were there with me! I knew you would like this mural. I agree wholeheartedly – we must walk together the back roads. There are so many stories we miss when we go in straight lines from point A to point B. Let’s take a more meandering pathway and let serendipity be our guide. Hugs and love!!!

      Liked by 3 people

  19. A joyful and inspiring artistic sight, the while heading for pastry soul food, a favourite sport of ours as well, especially at Giannini’s in Montecatini.
    The psychology and the gentleness of the message’s magnitude in the compose of the little girl applying the pieces to the broken heart says it all, requiring not a word. Extremely powerful imagery! Thanks Rebecca.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I am imagining the delicious aroma that is coming from Giannnini’s! The idea of “less is more” comes through doesn’t it? No words are necessary! The evolution of graffiti and mural art over the past two decades has been remarkable. What was once considered unsightly has become an instrument of social comment. As Banksy once said: “Speak softly, but carry a big can of paint.”

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  24. Thank you so much for sharing this…such beautiful artwork and it expresses so much. As you have said above, the missing piece is always love. Knowing that we each have a part to play in making this world a better place, how lovely to see a design that clearly shows how much our contribution matters.

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    1. Thank you so much for your heartwarming comments, Linda. There is poignancy in the child leading us to a greater understanding of what is important. These past months have been a time to revisit our priorities and reflect upon what creates a spirit of contentment. In the middle of noise and confusion, it is the still small voice that we hear…

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  25. Yes! Children are often the greatest of teachers, if we are wise enough to listen. They speak the truth, and as the saying goes, ‘out of the mouths of babes’. To see clearly, we must face the truth of any given situation. Beyond that, children know instinctively to live in the moment. They know that even if the timing is not perfect, it is still best to make the most of life. Given the gravity of what we have been through…separated from friends and loved ones, these lessons take on greater meaning. The things that make our hearts the fullest have nothing to do with things; spending time with the people we love, and enjoying this beautiful planet that God has created is what matters.

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