I look at his painting, which captures a favourite theme of mine – an open window looking outward at a scene – the structured geometric interior starkly contrasted with the flowing freedom of the yacht on the ocean. It sums it up for me: it is me. My bio should read: Penelope van Maasdyk is a structured human force, always organised yet constantly gazing at the horizon, seeking freedom.

Before I was married – ‘When God was a child’, a friend of mine would quip – and, therefore, before the baby; who stoked the insanity that created this blog; was even a tick on my biological clock, I bought this painting. It has followed me from Observatory to Chiswick to Barnes to Vredehoek to Hout Bay where it is the first thing I see each morning and the last thing I see at night: it hangs on a patch of pink I painted on my bedroom wall for it.

The artist, Wenkidu, sold it to me at cut price; much to the furious mutterings of his no doubt more financially savvy wife; and I am so grateful to him that, each time I look at his artwork, I imagine that he has made it big and is living it large on the islands.

I am beginning only now to realise why he did it … practically gave his art to me. He wanted to know that his art was out there rather than stacked against his studio wall imploding on its own creative energy. He wanted to release it and know that it was being admired, appreciated … and, even if hated, having an impact on the universe.

And this is a lesson on how we all should be. The world only learns from those who are willing to put themselves and their stuff ‘out there’. Sure, you’re likely to get the crap kicked out of your ego every once in a while … but that’s the price of ego, I suppose.