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"STRONGER TOGETHER" is a weekly column where Tanya explores key issues. This week Tanya discusses how Michelangelo's approach to creating the statue of David by removing excess material can inspire us to refine our own lives by letting go of what no longer serves us.
By IMPACT Community Services Managing Director Tanya O'Shea
Standing beneath the awe-inspiring ceiling of the Sistine Chapel more than a decade ago, I felt a profound sense of wonder wash over me. The vibrant frescoes, each brushstroke meticulously crafted by Michelangelo, seemed to come alive, telling stories of creation and divinity.
In that moment, surrounded by the whispers of history and the magnificence of his work, I was both humbled and inspired. The dazzling complexity and beauty in his murals left me with a lasting sense of awe and wonder.
At the time, I was captivated by the grandeur but didn’t truly appreciate the depth of his mastery and intention. Like many, I associated Michelangelo mainly with the Sistine Chapel ceiling, forgetting that he was also accomplished in drawing and poetry, and the sculptor behind the iconic statue of David.
Over the years, my appreciation for Michelangelo has deepened—particularly in how he approached the creation of David. He didn't build it by adding; he revealed it by removing. His genius lay not only in what he created, but in what he chose to let go.
Too often, we equate growth and success with accumulation— more money, more time, more assets, more clothes, more friendships, more skills, more experiences. But Michelangelo reminds us that refinement and clarity often come from subtraction. By chiselling away everything that wasn’t David, he uncovered something extraordinary.
This idea mirrors our own paths to personal growth. What beliefs, habits, or distractions no longer serve your purpose? What parts of your life might need to be chipped away to reveal the best version of yourself?
Michelangelo's legacy isn’t just in what he left behind, but in how he lived—committed to learning, pushing boundaries, and surrounding himself with brilliance, even when it meant facing discomfort or fierce rivalry with other prominent artists, including Leonardo da Vinci. Unlike most Renaissance artists, he extended his drawing to include detailed anatomy, often featuring persuasive nudity that was considered unorthodox and unconventional at the time.
His life reminds us that self-improvement isn't about becoming someone else but revealing who we truly are beneath the noise. So, using Michelangelo as your inspiration, ask yourself: what needs to be let go—not to diminish who you are, but to uncover your own masterpiece?
Please note: This website may contain references to, or feature images, videos, and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have passed away.
