For the last month or so I have been so lucky to spend an hour each week with all of the intermediate classes. We have been learning how to see the world through artist eyes, to make art from everyday things we find around us and to discover what we want to share about ourselves through collecting. Our focus has been on exploring materials with a non-linear approach. Our weekly sketchbook explorations have been informed by activities like: using a viewfinder, making marks, mindful drawing, mixed media explorations and inviting chance into our art practice. We have been inspired by contemporary artists like Lisa Congdon, Lisa Solomon and Christine Buckton Tillman. And looked at the work of many other artists in the following books: Speck: A Curious Collection of Uncommon Things, The Pocket Scavenger by Keri Smith, and You are Here: Personal Geographies and other Maps of the Imagination. We watched the following film about the process of Gabriel Orozco during the creation of his installation and photography piece, Asterisms. It captures much of the ideas we are working with. If you have time you might like to watch it together.
https://www.guggenheim.org/video/gabriel-orozco-asterisms-video
Starting this week, we are beginning work on mixed media textile piece. We’ll use what we’ve learned so far to inform both our process and the content for our artwork. There will be mock ups and plans created in order to help us to develop resolved and coherent work. I’m inspired by our students and their ability to be flexible and open to this process. They are excited to be moving out of the research stage and getting into the development phase. I’m looking forward to seeing what they come up with.
This project was supported by PAC and an Artists in the Classroom grant disbursed by ArtStarts in Schools and funded by BC Arts Council and the Government of British Columbia’s Creative Futures Program.
As we move into the second half of our residency, we’re starting to work with the materials for our final project. We will be using non-toxic fabric pigment on Thursday, November 2. If you’re child has an old t-shirt or apron to bring that would be great. Please no special clothing at school this day. Fabric pigment does not wash out of clothing. It will wash off of skin.
Please email Amanda directly with any questions.
Artist in Residence