Hope Squared. Part 2. April.
“Art is about changing what we see in our everyday lives and representing it in such a way that it gives us hope.”
Hope Squared. April.
Sharing my art contribution to the Hope Squared Virtual Exhibition for the Grimsby Public Art Gallery. The slideshow video showcasing 85 pieces of art can be seen on the Grimbsy Art Gallery’s Youtube Channel. Note: ‘Hanging onto Hope’ can be viewed at the beginning of the video (.15-24 seconds into the presentation). This video/slide presentation showcases a wonderful variety of art and art-makers and is well worth the 15 minute viewing time. Again, thanks to Shara and her encouraging nudge to create and contribute art for this show.
Slide Image from Video: ‘GPAG: HOPE Squared Community Creativity Project 2021’.
Artist Statement. Hanging onto Hope.
“Hopeful and supportive messages become the creative sign-posts that light up our collective humanity. Although uncertain in the present, we are hopeful for the future, reaching out and sharing with others our creativity and messages when sheltering apart.
Throughout the pandemic I have created hope-themed art to share with others and reflect upon myself as an artist and art therapist. With this piece, I wanted to to show how hope surrounds and and rises above the chaos of the world, as we band together to get to the other side of the pandemic chaos and storm. We are all part of the mechanisms of change and hope.”
…in progress… the initial sketch…
I am sharing photos I took during my creative process. At the time I honestly did not know that this would become an art story as my AP Connections Blog was still in its infancy. My intention from the beginning of this creative journey was to capture the many layers of changes along the process path.
… the creative workplace… preparation and inspiration…
I had an unyielding sense that I would be continually modifying and altering the surface throughout the process, trying to both spend time with this content and also to capture the intensity, chaos and weight of my emotions around hope in pandemic times.
…connecting with my drawing self… making my mark…
Coming off of a few art therapy webinars with experiential components and creative play informed the materials I assembled for this tiny art piece. Participating in an art retreat with my former long-term care team around both eco-art and creative re-use lead me to play with more tactile found materials right from the get-go.
Of course for me during this past year of art-making and navigating Pandemic times, drawing for relaxation and self-care has been the place to start. So I began there, scratching and overlapping lines of drawn colour onto the black surface and painted backdrop. The idea of wrapping and taking the elements into a more three-dimensional space evolved quickly as the mindful process of drawing allowed and supported my presence and imaginings within the context of possibility and exploration.
… hanging on closeup….connecting figures…
Process Notes. Jottings. Intention.
• the collective eye witnessing… interwoven states of chaos, hurting and hope…
• scratched marks of colour illustrating intersecting energies… hope, worry and turmoil…
• metal cogs to represent mechanisms of change…
• cluster of tangled black wires to suggest the weight and turbulence of a world in crisis…
• ‘hope’ firmly written in copper wire to supportively wrap and contain a world in pain…
• small wire-wrapped figures connecting to and hanging on to each other… within the context of shared experiences…
• large metal flower with clock hand centre to represent time, growth and the care needed … pointing to an emerging rainbow…
“Holding on to hope when everything is dark, is the greatest test of faith.”
…hanging on… final art piece…part of a tiny art still life…
I have had a long-time interest in steampunk art and using found metal pieces for art cards and jewelry, and this project blended those interests and the materials I engaged with. Having revisited my strange collection of tiny found metal treasures for various art therapy webinar experientials in 2020, I had a very recent visual reminder of what was available to play with for this.
Slide Credit: Grimbsy Public Art Gallery + Hope Squared Logo Design by Sharon Porter.
Thanks to the Grimbsy Public Art Gallery for this open invitation to create and submit art. And thanks for all those who inspired this art piece through connection and creativity to keep me engaged in community art making.
Hope Squared. The Grimsby Public Art Gallery.
.• Youtube Video. GPAG: HOPE Squared Community Creativity Project 2021
• Gallery Info. The Grimsby Public Art Gallery, GALLERY WEST • 18 Carnegie Lane, Grimsby, ON L3M 1Y1
• Show Dates. March 17 to May 31, 2021 - extended through 2021 now
• GPAG Hours.
Tuesday 1 - 5 p.m.
Wednesday 1 - 5 p.m.
Thursday 1 - 7 p.m.
Friday 1 - 5 p.m.
Saturday 1 - 5 p.m.
Article Links. Hope Squared.
Niagara This Week.com Article • Grimsby Public Art Gallery Displaying Hope in New Exhibition
Welland Tribune.ca Article • Grimsby Public Art Gallery displaying hope in new exhibition
