The New Exotic

Still Life of a Pineapple Plant, Grapes and Peaches on a Table. British School, National Trust

Did you know that the King of Spain was the first European to eat a pineapple when the fruit was transported back from the New World. (Seems appropriate given the outcome of this year’s World Cup Final). Only one of these original fruits survived the journey and he ate it – declaring it his most favourite. He had to wait a long time for another bite of the succulent flesh. Its price was reckoned to be the equivalent of £3,000 in today’s money. And we put these chunks on pizzas – sacrilege on every level.

21st Century Exotic

It got me thinking about what we would deem ‘exotic’ in the 21st century. Would it be a rare species of brightly coloured bird at risk of extinction? Perhaps an unexplored territory? An undiscovered tribe living in the heart of the Amazon jungle? For me ‘exotic’ is no longer a rare animal, place or people. What would feel truly exotic these days would be space and time. A wide open space by the sea with only the sounds of the waves and nature’s creatures surrounding me. A creative space to think without interruption; to sketch, to write, to breathe. I don’t want to choose eight discs to take to my desert island to disturb the tranquility. I want to take multiple books, paper, pens, pencils and paints to make with in the exotic non-digital world – preferably in a warm climate to grow my own pineapples.

I’ve never been averse to solitude. In fact, in this 24/7 hyper distracting world we live in, i crave a bit of solitary time. So, I shall be reclaiming the exotic pineapple from those cruise ship swingers. When I post an image of a pineapple in future it will mark the start of my digital detox. I may even eat of the fruit too 🍍

If you’d like to join The Scribblers Writing Group, Art Masterclasses or discover more about the art and antiques we have at Life: Full Colour in Y Segontiwm – call me for a chat, pop in and have a glass of something too.

Sara McKee FRSA, Curator, Art Dealer and novice writer