I Can’t Even…
Crafting Community Through Monumental Art: The Power of Placemaking
In the heart of every community lies a unique tapestry of stories, histories, and shared experiences. These elements, woven together, form the vibrant fabric of communal identity. As an artist deeply committed to fostering this sense of belonging, I believe in the transformative power of placemaking through monumental, artist-guided community artwork.
Placemaking: The Art of Belonging
Placemaking is an action-oriented approach that brings people together to shape their public spaces. It turns physical environments into communal havens, fostering social interaction and engagement. Through monumental art, placemaking becomes an immersive experience where each community member has a role to play.
Monumental Art: A Canvas for Community
Monumental art transcends the ordinary, capturing the essence of a community on a grand scale. These projects are not just about creating impressive visuals; they are about embedding collective narratives into the landscape. Each element of the artwork, reflects the voices and visions of the community it represents.
Artist-Guided Collaboration: Uniting Voices
Guiding a community through the creation of an artwork is an enriching journey. As an artist, my role is to facilitate this process, ensuring every participant feels heard and valued. This collaboration infuses the artwork with diverse perspectives, transforming it into a mosaic of collective identity.
Impact Beyond Aesthetics
The impact of artist-guided community artwork extends far beyond aesthetics. It strengthens social bonds, fosters pride, and ignites a sense of ownership among community members. These creations become landmarks, both physically and emotionally, standing as testaments to the power of collective effort and shared vision.
Join the Journey & Free Your Mind
I invite you to join me on this incredible journey of placemaking through “Free Your Mind”. Free Your Mind is a public textile art project aiming to collect, exhibit, embed and release personal narratives about Microaggressions in a multi-sensory installation.
This year, Free Your Mind is engaging audiences at Touchstone Center for Crafts in PA from May 17- September 20 and the Delaware Contemporary June 7- August 30th.
Together, we can create work that resonates with meaning, vibrancy, and a deep sense of community. Let’s turn our shared spaces into living canvases, where every member of our community sees themselves reflected and celebrated. In the spirit of collaboration and creativity, let’s craft artwork that enriches our collective spirit.
Say it Loud
Navigating Racial Trauma: Weaving Strength through Emotional Baggage Carts
Despite the growing commitment to fostering racial equity, the daily experiences of women of color show little improvement. The persistence of microaggressions remains a stark reality, echoing the challenges faced before the emergence of the BLM movement. These microaggressions carry significant consequences, fostering stress, anger, frustration, self-doubt, and, ultimately, a sense of powerlessness and invisibility. Within this emotional landscape, my Emotional Baggage Carts emerge as vessels for the weight of racial trauma, offering a transformative act of liberation.
Weaving the Sting:
The act of crafting these carts is a powerful mechanism for weaving the sting of daily microaggressions into a tangible form. As I engage in this creative process, the emotional weight of these incidents is incorporated into the cart. This act of making serves as a cathartic release, offering a means to free myself from the constraints imposed by these triggers.
Liberation through Creation:
In the intricate process of weaving, the emotional baggage is not merely contained; it is transformed into a symbol of strength and resilience. The Emotional Baggage Carts become vessels that encapsulate the stories of microaggressions, allowing me to navigate and confront the emotional toll. Through this creative act, I reclaim a sense of agency and freedom, breaking free from the shackles of stress and self-doubt that accompany these daily challenges.
A Transformative Journey:
Each cart becomes a visual representation of the emotional journey, woven with threads of endurance and empowerment. The transformative nature of this creative endeavor serves as a testament to the strength and resilience inherent in women of color. The Emotional Baggage Carts stand not as burdens but as artifacts of triumph over adversity.
In the pursuit of racial equity, acknowledging the persistent challenges faced by women of color is essential. The Emotional Baggage Carts represent more than vessels for racial trauma; they embody a transformative journey toward resilience and empowerment. As microaggressions persist, these carts become symbols of strength, enabling women of color to weave their narratives of endurance and liberation, reclaiming a sense of agency in the face of adversity.
June & Beyond Blog
OPENING THIS MONTH
Free Your Mind @ 2024 Summer Discovery
Exhibition Dates: June 7 – August 30
Opening Reception: June 7, 5:00-9:00 pm
Location: Delaware Contemporary; 200 S Madison St, Wilmington, DE
ONGOING
Free Your Mind @ Touchstone
Dates: May 17 – September 20
Location: Touchstone Center for Crafts; 1049 Sr2003, Farmington, PA
Uncontained: Reimagining Basketry
Opening Reception: May 19th 2:00-4:00pm
Exhibition Dates: May 19, 2024 – September 2, 2024
Location: Hunterdon Art Museum, 7 Lower Center St, Clinton, NJ
Ponytails and Door Knocker Earring Installation
Dates: January 17- July 17
Location: Time Equities Lobby 55 5th Avenue, New York NY
NEXT
American Tapestry Association’s Beyond: Tapestry Expanded
Exhibition Dates: August 1- December 15
Location: Peeler Art Center at DePauw University; 204 E. Seminary St., Greencastle IN
Inspired By Felix Gonzales-Torres
Felix Gonzalez-Torres was a highly influential contemporary artist known for his conceptual and minimalist works that often explored themes of love, loss, and the fragility of human existence. One of the distinctive aspects of his art is its materiality, which often employed everyday objects and minimalist aesthetics to convey profound emotional and political messages.
One of Gonzalez-Torres’s most famous works is his series of “Untitled” candy installations. These installations consist of piles of individually wrapped candies, typically placed directly on the floor or on a plinth. Viewers are invited to take a piece of candy, gradually depleting the pile over time. The materiality of the candies, which are perishable and consumable, serves as a metaphor for the ephemeral nature of life and the inevitability of loss. As viewers interact with the artwork by taking a piece of candy, they become participants in the process of transformation and decay, reflecting the cycle of life and death.
Felix Gonzalez-Torres’s exploration of materiality sparks my imagination. Inspired by his adept use of everyday objects and minimalist styles, I aim to craft artwork that resonates both visually and intellectually. Much like Gonzalez-Torres, I seek to engage viewers in reflecting upon profound themes in unexpected ways.
I’m An Artist Not A Lawyer
and I can relate to ALL of these microaggressions…
The Great Resignation… Close Up
Made with vintage silk ties and leather belts, paracord, black zip ties & ribbon, LED strip lights, mesh on recycled commercial fishing net and gold spray paint on recovered shopping cart
The Power of the Outsider: Building Your Own Alternative
In a world often governed by norms and conventions, the outsider holds a unique position—a position of strength. Freed from the constraints of mainstream thinking, the outsider is empowered to craft their own narrative, forge their own path, and envision alternative realities.
Being an outsider isn’t about exclusion; it’s about liberation. It’s about embracing difference and finding strength in individuality. By constantly challenging the status quo, the outsider becomes a catalyst for change, offering fresh perspectives and innovative solutions.
In this space of creative autonomy, the outsider cultivates a rich tapestry of ideas, birthing new paradigms and reshaping the landscape of possibility. So, embrace your outsider status, and revel in the power of building your own alternative. After all, it’s often on the fringes where true transformation takes root.
