Peace. Harmony. Co-Existence.
Response Art from the Archives.
Peace, harmony and co-existence are so needed in these ruptured post-pandemic times, for change, shifts of direction and growth to truly occur, and for the global ‘we’ to move forward and heal.
Artworks often remain relevant across the years and personally resonate with us through memory and the embodied experience of reliving that particular creative process. After recently discovering an old sketchbook, I thought of this timeless project and the reflections it generated so many years ago.
History is cyclical and repetitive, and as such, artists respond to these intersections of universality. The impacts of history, conflict, struggle, and resolution, comprise what is often part of our present lived or witnessed experience. Like at the time of creation, the theme of this sculpture and global struggle related to the pandemic and war are also resonant; current, concerning, heart wrenching and devastating,
For this post I am digging through the archives, when I took a studio sculpture course at Camosun College in Victoria with an incredibly supportive and inspiring instructor Ralph Stanbridge. This is one of the creative journeys he so carefully guided us through.
Below are the instructions noted in an old sketchbook I recently discovered and my shared intention, reflections and revelations as I worked through this sculpture assignment.
The assignment encouraged us to reflect on the words of ‘peace’… ‘harmony’… and ‘co-existence’…, and to thoughtfully play with the term ‘co-existence’ as a state that was not necessarily harmonious, but rather was rooted in the tension and intersectionality of adaptation, struggle, perseverance, compromise, and dominance that can also be present in this fluctuating state. This assignment was part 2 of response art prompts related to an unsettling war with many casualties.
“Reflections. Concept. Hmmm... First - with the design I sought to create a sculpture where the pieces make a whole (and without both parts an obvious space exists)… leading to....ideas of a form protecting another...then...sheltering.....a use of repetitive forms to create visual harmony and protection....also suggestions of unity in purpose, and equality... a levelling... where nothing dominates..”
Reflections. Process. What?…!!x&*!!!
Absolute frustration was my initial lived-experience working with the medium of drywall. As a more expressive artist at the time who enjoyed process and mindful engagement with the materials I used particularly paint and found materials … YIKES - this was a test! (and that was the point I imagine - lol!).
“Creativity arises out of the tension between spontaneity and limitations, the latter (like the river banks) forcing the spontaneity into the various forms which are essential to the work of art or poem.”
The Challenge…
Where to start?! The exact requirement of measurements to enable construction and a successful build with this unpleasant material. Math is not my forte. Next, the weight of the original drywall sheet that impacted ease of manipulation for me when cutting, and the mounds of generated dust that coated absolutely everything including ME!. YALL of this added to the increasing mountain of frustration within the process itself. And, even with my cardboard maquette and the exact measurements I thought I had figured out, I still slightly undercut 2 of the cube sides and had to start again with those 2 pieces. (grrrrrr… again - that was the point I imagine - the struggle to achieve harmony and balance - lol)
Reflections. Completion What?…Really?
Then….…. enjoyment mixed with a little wonder ( complete astonishment in many ways) as the cube and supportive rectangle finally came together in a ‘harmonious’ way. Just like the final sketch I had designed and ultimately selected, these two sculptural forms nestled within each other upright, solid and balanced. I sanded, sealed the edges, painted and then prepared for the class reveal and critique... In our shared collective viewing and supportive art ‘critique’ I moved my piece around amused and satisfied with the fact that I had not only achieved my goal of balance and co-existence, but also upon reflection could re-position in other ways.
Wonder, Happenstance and the Silver Lining!
I revelled in that moment (balance)… and I was humbled by the message … the ultimate state of co-existence - a strength of form… emerging from the challenges of design and laborious execution, within the arduous journey of being in process. That IS and WAS the point… to challenge both the creator and witness… to spend time with the repair and to spend time with the challenges… while engaging in art expression within the context of social awareness of the lived experiences of others (with conflict, war and casualties). Art CAN open the door to nudge our thoughts into wonder, understanding, questioning, CARE, CHANGE and POSSIBILITY. It allows us to learn and grow and play within alternating states of BEING. ART communicates… and even now I reflect and remember as I look on this long-gone student sculpture…. and the legacy of the photograph to prompt reminiscence.
The Camosun Connection.
Many of my classmates hold a special place in my memories from those art school experiences. However, I think in many ways this demanding and tricky class assignment genuinely forged and bonded the growing friendship with Dee, Mason and Jeremy as we tackled the challenges presented us, shared frustrations and laughs (and for Dee and I in particular, gallons of coffee, supportive chats and lots of giggles).
Connecting through creativity and friendship bolstered my resolve as I navigated personal outside-life challenges not related to my Camosun experience, bittersweet endings mixed with exciting and challenging new beginnings. I was determined to start over with a new life in BC and not immediately return to Ontario.
Camosun College has been on my mind after sharing two of my classmates stories previously (Dee Storey and Mason Laver - my first art school friends when I moved to Victoria), connecting with other wonderful classmates on instagram and facebook (like Heather), and then with the sudden and heart wrenching loss of another Camosun alum, amazing artist, and dear classmate from that time Jeremy (And, 2 years later, no resolution for his family around the random act of violence that took his life). And more recently, in 2023, we lost another wonderful classmate, Guillermo from that cohort. As this month is a time of remembering… I am remembering THEM!
Camosun Connections…
Dee Storey • #twistytreedee
✿ Twisty Tree Dee 〰 AP Connections Blog Post 2021 - beautiful jewelry creations and art school story
Mason Laver • #islandmanfoto
✿ Mason’s Story. islandmanfoto. 〰 AP Connections Blog Post 2021 - showcasing Mason’s stunning photography
Jeremy Gordaneer • #gordaneerstudio
✿ Do check out Jeremy Gordaneer’s amazing deconstructed pandemic themed pieces at this instagram link.
Ralph Stanbridge.
✿ Read More about Ralph here: Field Trip: Art Across Canada • In Conversation: Cedric Bomford, Rick Leong, Michael Andrew McLean, Hollis Roberts, and Ralph Stanbridge. Retrieved from: April 2020.
Video: Field Trip • A Dialogue Between Artists during Covid 19. Youtube. April 21, 2020.
