The hero in Theo
Theodore was, especially in his last years, heavily interested in religious activities , music, dancing , singing, filming, photographing, drawing and arts concepts. From a very young age he had encountered many stories…. Besides these passions, Theo was also gifted with the guitar and had the ability to create art. The latter gift is probably the one which you all most identify him with.
However there was one passion, one form of storytelling that he loved very dearly….cinema, he was able to learn and gather a lot of knowledge about image and storytelling. “Be patient…I will tell you the complete story when we get there”
Theo used his religious and mythological themes and concepts which he loved so much, to analyse the stories he encountered throughout his whole life. And he described and applied them…like I do now. Naturally, of course, he needed that knowledge to tell his story in his works and in his assignment on earth. Now that he is physically gone I have the urge to apply these themes surrounding the ‘hero’ on the works he left behind and analyse his life with these themes…his story.
Theo inspired and touched many who came in his path (a characteristic attribute of …a hero). That is why you are all here in this place, at this exact time, at this point of existence…to honour my hero, my son. But he has left pieces behind in this life and Theo left them because he wants to send out a message to you all. “I am not going to be a pencil-artist when I finish my study…I see this study as a step to something very different”.
Theo applied a very smart technique to analyse concepts, themes and pictures from the stories he encountered. He would probably ask himself many times: “What does this word mean…how is this word related to other words?” Theo function in this world was that of an illustrator. So I ask myself now: “What does illustrator really mean?” This word comes from the Latin verb lustrare which literally means ‘to illuminate’. The function of the illustrator (the one who holds the light, the light-bearer) is to enlighten other people, to illuminate an existing concept in a different light, with the ultimate goal of sending out a totally transforming vision to humanity. In this light you should all start to view his works and life differently so that you are able to extract his message so you may learn, grow and evolve in your own lives.
I notice that a lot of people have trouble in approaching me. Naturally— I was the one person that was most connected to Theo and people cannot possibly realise how I am going to react to the situation. All I can tell you is: “Approach me, talk about how you saw Theo and I will be proud to talk about him because it gives me joy to see how many people are fascinated and inspired by the story of my hero, my son.”
This chapter of Theo's story has not described the other part of his life which was his journey through and to the hospitals for medical appointments, treatments , surgical operations and his physical limitations. I hope to write more about Theo' s other experience of life. So, for now, enjoy reading these attributes he had which you may not have known about my hero .....Theodore Lowe
