It was a fun privilege earlier this week to help hang/place, amid a forest of willow branches, the little shelters that are the heart of the Sheltering in Place project now on view at The Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro. Granted, when I left, the set-up wasn’t absolutely complete so I didn’t get to experience the full effect with special lighting and recorded haiku written specifically for the show. But I can confidently tell you that it is going to be a magical exhibition.
The show will be open to the public by reservation only. Check the HCA website for information about their COVID-19 protocol for the building and the installation. Sadly, there will be no reception or artist talks due to obvious concern about large gatherings at this time. But truthfully, the work speaks for itself and perhaps savoring it in relation to your own sheltering experience will be the most meaningful way to enjoy it.
Relative Distance ©2020 Elizabeth Fram, Stitched-resist dye and embroidery on silk, with foraged twigs, 9 x 6 x 6 inches. The above image is to jog your memory so you can keep your eyes peeled for my piece in the show. If ever there was a testament to professional photography, this is it. Thank you Paul Rogers Photography
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Meanwhile, I’ve enjoyed spending time drawing our friends and neighbors up the street. An added bonus is that they took these photos on May 11th, recording our late spring snowfall. Karen’s sense of humor about being long-overdue for a haircut added to the fun of trying to capture her.
Karen ©2020 Elizabeth Fram, Ink and colored pencil on paper, 11 x 8.5 inches
For whatever reason, Alan’s image was harder to nail down (my fault, not his). It was a challenge to balance the shade and reflected light under the brim of his hat. However, pushing into mixed-media by adding watercolor and white ink eventually got me over the hurdle.
Alan ©2020 Elizabeth Fram, Mixed-media on paper, 11 x 8.5 inches
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One final note before wishing you a happy holiday weekend:
I tend to collect quotes gleaned from my reading, but since I don’t have any specific place to keep them, they are always a lovely surprise to come across again when I’m sifting my way through old daybooks or stacks of paper that build up on my desk. I thought I’d leave you with this one from David Hockney as an offering of hope in the midst of all our uncertainty. Keep it in mind if and when you go to see the Sheltering in Place project.
I have always believed that art should be a deep pleasure…there is always, everywhere, an enormous amount of suffering. But I believe my duty as an artist is to overcome and alleviate the sterility of despair…New ways of seeing mean new ways of feeling… I do believe that painting can change the world. ~David Hockney
Relative Distance looks terrific! I can feel the love emanating from you to all your family members around the map. And Paul Rogers does indeed take photos that bring out the best in fiberart and sculpture! Thanks also for the quote from David Hockney. The warm colors and unusual vantage points (often multiple) of his paintings always bring a smile to my face.
Thanks for the kind words Eve. One of the things I really enjoyed about the pieces in the show is the variety of perspectives and the overriding sense of togetherness to be had by seeing them all at once. Our experiences may all be different, but I think there’s a certain comfort in knowing we’re all contending with a common situation.
Betsy, thank you for the kind words about the Sheltering in Place project. Your piece is a highlight! What an honor to include 120 artists work in this one project. It’s been almost 4 months since the project began and now its finally realized!
You did such a great job Hasso! It’s such a positive way of marking this crazy time; I am honored to be a part of it. Heading up this afternoon for the full experience…can’t wait!
Betsy, I think the name you gave to your little sheltering home is perfect, given these times and your family situation! Also, like you, I have special quotes that I tape into my design notebooks…and then stumble upon every so often. When I read Hockney’s, I recalled this one, one of my favorites, written by James Rhodes….a perfect companion piece to Hockney’s: “Research has turned up evidence that Bach grew up in a ‘thuggish world.’ (Don’t we all?) Bach was able to do works of such beauty and truth that they turn us away from our own despair and towards the light. Artists like Bach do us the greatest service of any true artist: they give us encouragement to keep living, to keep going.
Great quote, and so true! Thanks for sharing Marya. And to look at it from the flip side, I think the act of making something, without any expectation of an audience or sharing, but just making for making’s sake, is also very healing and encouraging.
I’m really looking forward to this exhibit. Thank you for the teaser!! Love your little shelter!
I am so glad this show ended up at the HCA – it’s such a lovely venue and locale that I think it makes the show even “more” than it already is. Let me know your impressions after you go – there’s a lot to see and absorb.