Almost Daily Collages mixed media on paper 5x8" On my work table in my studio I have this tray of papers and materials that I have working from for the past several months From time to time I add more bits and pieces. I enjoy sifting through these remnants, seeing what I can do with them. Often the work is sparked by the new additions, but the pieces on the bottom of the pile also hold some fodder for inspiration. For these two pieces I spied, not in the tray but laying on top of my printer, an accordion fold book I had made comprised of rusted and stained papers with some leaves attached. I decided to photocopy it and work with what I got. This was the new addition to that day's work. It is amazing how the photocopied image in black and white took on another persona. (If leaves and stitching on paper can have a persona.) The light marks on the black paper in the bottom piece were made by bleaching the paper. That particular piece has been the tray of materials for months. And I am pretty sure I made it 2 years ago as an example of bleaching for a class I was going to teach. There wasn't much of it. But I knew I shouldn't / couldn't throw it out. Glad I had it in that pile of collage materials. www.claremurrayadams.com http://instagram.com/claremurrayadams |
Writings devoted to the ways in which materials and techniques affect my art process.
Sun Series #1
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Photocopies, Bleached Paper, and Remnants
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Thanksgiving
Sunday, November 12, 2017
The Weight of Words
Those of you who know me know that I am the least likely person to be censored.
People often tell me that some of my work has an edginess to it or that it strikes a sad or emotional note. But it does not come off as offensive.
But...I was recently accepted to an exhibit only to be told before the show opened that the words in the work were inappropriate for that venue. They were very gracious about it and adamant that my work be included if I could some way remove the words or change the words or cover the words. The concept centered on name calling, bullying and the kind of words that cause emotional pain. The ethereal and innocent look of the piece belied the words the viewer confronted when coming in for a closer look. It had an impact. It was powerful.
The piece had been exhibited several other times without the censorship I now faced. I do understand that the appropriateness of the work is subject to the venue and the kinds of clientele that will see the work. I had a short time in which to decide what I would do.
Should I just pull the work from the show and be done with it?
What kind of change can I make without changing the original intent?
Am I caving in or am I compromising?
Do I even want to compromise?
I talked with my husband who also is an artist. I talked with another artist friend who is familiar with me, my work and my philosophy about making work. If I change the work have I lost the initial powerful piece? Can I substitute other words that will still convey my intent and cause the viewer to think about words that are damaging, hurtful and can't be unheard?
In the end I did find a compromise. I substituted words that addressed the emotions one might feel when being called names instead of using the actual offensive words. Because the words were attached to the larger part of the work and could be removed I did not undermine the major part of the work. The new words replaced the original one and I now have two works that address this issue. I feel the piece lost some of its impact but it still causes the viewer to think about the name calling, bullying and the hurt that verbal abuse can cause.
I feel okay with my decision to compromise because the message is still out there.
I am wearing my censorship as a kind of badge of honor
ever conscious of the weight of words.
Wednesday, November 1, 2017
Visit the Christkindl Markt Nov. 10-12!
"Flower Girl" mixed media collage 12 x 9" framed $200 |
Daily Collage mixed media 5x8" unframed $15 |
Daily Collage mixed media 5x8" unframed $15 See more on my website! |
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