Statement | Exhibitions | Press Release
I find the writing or speaking about my work especially difficult. Until this past year I have struggled to put written or spoken words to my work, but have done so out of a sense of obligation to the viewer. I anguished over thoughts and explanations that sounded unlike myself and the process in particular. This year I undertook a long overdue journey with the support from an advisor/colleague/ artist named Sheri Fafunwa, to actively journal about my work as the creative process unfolded. We even dialogued about the naming of previous pieces, and the disconnection I felt there as well. During the past months, as I sculpted, wrote, then reflected, I came to understand much about myself and my work. I was “trained” in the sixties and seventies where the process of creation was the main focus. These years brought me to my work as an art therapist and the philosophy of the art coming from a deeper place than words could reach- that unconscious avenue of communication which tells the story without language to qualify or quantify it. My path continued as an art teacher where current educational concepts press the written word upon a completion of a project in order to bring it to a” higher level” of “awareness”, “vocalization” and “understanding”. As I gave myself to the journal work I was astounded that the more I wrote the more creatively I was drained, and had increasing difficulty sculpting. And so little by little I stopped, allowing the carving to take precedence over all other energies. And so I have been able, through this journaling work to come full circle, much as the ancient mandala, to understand, that as an intuitive artist, as a very private persona (unlike the public persona many people are witness to) I am now completely, and comfortably grounded in the nonverbal authenticity of who I am as an artist, and for that reason I do not write about my work. I have been able now to return to eliminate titles for my pieces, and free them of what I have always considered external impositions. They are certainly happier, as I am. This is not meant as a slight to the viewer, but rather for one to approach the body of work, or a specific piece and to respond without the imposition of my deeper/ darker/ lighter/ more fragile or intense feelings. The viewer may give the piece a title, a description if necessary. But for me the work simply is. I create because I have to. It is the single most connecting thread in my life, as I have always done it and know little else so intimately. And so I trust the work to do the speaking. Education College of New Rochelle, NY - M.S. in Art Therapy New Arts Gallery Professional Experience Art Teacher: Art Therapist: Senior Graphic Designer: |
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