The above pieces were created by artists at C4 and are the culmination of my work at this site: Ron B., David C., Pat C., Rawhide C., Traci D., Amanda E., Darlene F., Marvin G., Lynn H., Elizabeth H., Richard H., Judie I., Amy J., Brenda J., Michele M., Tanjila P., Anna P., Isabel R, Joanne R., Cecil S., Lenny S., Jennie T., and Chayce V.
C4 (Community Counseling Center of Chicago) is a community organization that serves a diverse group of people with a variety of mental health needs. Participants in the Art of Connection show are members of art therapy groups at C4 who share a common belief that art making and self-expression are essential components of mental health. The projects presented in this show are meant to capture the expressions, thoughts, feelings and imaginations of this community of people.
Art Belongs to Everyone is dually influenced by the work of the Chicago based street artist collective “You-Are-Beautiful,” and the “Learning to Love You More” project formed by Miranda July and Harrell Fletcher. Responding to the suggestion to “make an encouraging banner” in the LTLYM project, and utilizing the format of the “You-Are-Beautiful” project, artists at C4 collaborated in brainstorming and selecting positive messages that everyone in the group felt connected to and inspired to promote. Each letter is made by a different artist with a material of their choice. Art Belongs to Everyone is one of several banners made. The others include the statements “Everyone Matters,” “We All Belong,” and “Art is Essential.”
The Multi Panel Project is the product of an art directive asking participants to identify the people, places, ideas, and events that have been influential or important in their lives. In response, art therapy group members completed up to six 4” x 4” panels. The project is intended to explore the specific and unique things that have influenced each member. When viewed together, the images create a beautiful patchwork of complex interactions.
No comments:
Post a Comment