Review by Eliane Ubalijoro

  Chair of International leadership Association’s (ILA) 15th Global Conference, Montreal 2013

     All great art transcends mere craft, no matter how accomplished the artist, and evokes profound mean- ing. Amy and her powerful, exquisitely beautiful artwork, “Lantern”, did just that at the ILA Global Conference. Amy’s “Lantern”, which greeted each of the 1000 delegates as they entered Le Grand Sa- lon, deeply embodied this year’s ILA theme, “Leadership for Local & Global Resilience: The Chal- lenges of a Shifting Planet.” The “Lantern” invited the delegates, from more than 30 countries, to re- flect on their own leadership roles in building peace both locally and globally. The symbolism of Amy’s art being presented in The Queen Elizabeth Hotel, the same place where John Lennon wrote and recorded Give peace a chance (in 1969), was not lost on anyone.

     With the art “Lantern” shining its powerful presence, each keynote speaker’s message became more deeply felt and understood. Aboriginal leader Bob Watts of the Mohawk and Ojibway Nations, and in- terim chair of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, gave a keynote that emphasized the in- tricate weaving of human values that are needed for peace and reconciliation. Amy’s “Lantern”, with its interweaving of values in 35 languages, affirmed Bob’s message, making it all the more meaningful to the delegates. Charles Bronfman’s keynote emphasizing the critical importance of values in creating a legacy was similarly reflected in Amy’s “Lantern”.

     The computer-generated texts and hand-written calligraphy that only became visible as delegates ap- proached the “Lantern” were echoed in Yuka Saionji’s keynote, as she reminded conferees of the val- ues that are vital to all human relationships: compassion, kindness, respect, understanding, patience, tolerance, gentleness and forgiveness. Yuka’s witnessing of Amy’s “Lantern”, I am sure, will inspire her global peace-building work with The Goi Peace Foundation. In the closing keynote, Nancy Adler, the Bronfman Chair of Management at McGill University, made Amy’s art central to her presentation, inviting delegates to find the inspiration to dream, and to enact, beautiful leadership for the world. Nancy is not only a highly esteemed global leadership professor, but also a well- recognized artist. Ac- companied by Amy’s art and pianist Michael Jones’ music, the necessity and possibility of going be- yond the dehydrated language of management became palpably real to every person at ILA.

     In cherishing beauty, we are given the opportunity to understand the power that art has to transform both individuals and the world. By being in the presence of the “Lantern”, ILA delegates were empow- ered to go deeper, touching heart, mind, body and soul. It was truly an honour to have an artist of Amy’s stature at ILA. It is my deep desire that her “Lantern” will continue to inspire us, so our collec- tive efforts can spread peace around the world and in our communities, both of which are in desperate need of inspiration, consciousness, beauty and illumination.

Eliane Ubalijoro, Chair of ILA’s 15th Global Conference and Professor of Practice at ISID, McGill