In the late 1970s, Jerry Wennstrom was a rising star in the New York art world when he decided that the ultimate creative leap was to destroy his large body of art, give away all of his possessions, and spend the next ten years wandering, seeking, and listening.
"It was a powerful, holy experience that left me shaken and empty, but exhilarated," says Jerry of the destruction of his art.
In this DVD, In the Hands of Alchemy, Jerry Wennstrom tells the extraordinary story of his daring exploration into the source of his creativity. He tells of a life lived by the singular requirement of Grace-to remain fearlessly attuned to the heart. Wennstrom and his art are handsomely portrayed in this film about his unique, adventurous search for spiritual authenticity.
The film includes footage of the Monks of Depung-Loseling Tibetan Monastery, excerpts from a 1979 film that show many of the works Wennstrom destroyed, a recent presentation by Jerry before a live audience in his studio, and testimony and narration by poet David Whyte, author Christina Baldwin, and artist Deborah Koff Chapin.
Wennstrom's book, The Inspired Heart: An Artist's Journey of Transformation, is also available through Sentient Publications.
Read an article by Jerry Wennstrom in Light of Consciousness magazine. (pdf format)
What others have said about In the Hands of Alchemy:
Jerry Wennstrom is one of a kind - and his point is that any of us can be that. We can, like him, walk straight into the heart of mystery and emerge more ourselves than we could ever imagine. He tells his story of being called to destroy his art, of struggling to hear any message but that one, of surrendering his will and allowing the soft something beyond will to guide him. It's all a fabulous tale worth hearing again and again like a great myth, and it's a deep, simple instruction for how to find ourselves in the middle of a life that seems real, but is often missing the central character. Jerry's amazing recent artwork, and his extraordinarily beautiful and talented wife Marilyn swirl around this story of a courageous soul, making it even more compelling. Best would be to know Jerry as I am privileged to do, second best is watching this film.
—Vicki Robin, coauthor of
Your Money or Your Life
There is a tremendous kind of courage that Jerry showed in the midst of the chaos and the individual loneliness of the post-modern world, to go his own way. It was the ultimate artistic step.
—David Whyte, author of
Crossing the Unknown Sea
When Jerry Wennstrom destroyed his art in 1979, he threw himself into the great unknown searching for a more authentic life. Walking the road of radical emptiness, the result was the emergence of a completely genuine voice, gentle, sensitive to the stirrings of the divine in everyday life, and creative beyond reasonable bounds. Wedding compassion and creativity, In the Hands of Alchemy is a rare celebration of life and the joy of spiritual surrender.
—Chris Bache, author of Dark Night, Early Dawn
The video shows a guy who has, as poet David Whyte says in the video, claimed his happiness. If only there were about six billion films like this waiting to be made.
—Jerry Katz, nonduality.com
In the Hands of Alchemy is a delightful film, an alchemical mixture in itself of inspiration, spirituality, art and the story of a remarkable human being.
—David Spangler, author of Blessings
Wennstrom's work is life-affirming, capturing the soul, inspiration, beauty, and humor of life and human existence.
—New Age Retailer
