curated by Colleen Kenyon, CPW
This exhibition showcases work by contemporary
photographers whose lives have been abruptly impacted by sudden change. Such circumstances include the
onset of serious illness - physical and emotional, death of loved ones, loss of home, economic distress,
accidents, rape, and more.
The
question the ONCE show asks is, when faced with astonishing life
situations how do artists cope? Understanding these events can be mysterious and overwhelming. Does one
stop making art or begin again in a new way?
Then “normal” life stops,
the “fairy tale” ends. The artists in this show tell the journey of healing. This is the next chapter
of the story. Making images and writing about their experience, these artists show the paths they have
taken in grappling with their obstacles.
Extremes of high and low can
add a dimension to artists faced with trauma - they may become more open to the extremes and
contradictions of life - perhaps more open to novel connections and associations.
ONCE artists depict - how in times of turmoil - they use the creation of art as gesture of faith in their healing process. In times of despair, is making artwork a meditation through which we deepen our spirit? What can we see and gain by viewing the work?
All of us live now in a
tumultuous moment where unexpected events affect our lives. Making art and viewing it are ways to bring
order to our personal lives and be reminded again that each one of us can act to bring about a more
harmonious world.
Human creativity is a
wellspring of hope for our culture. As we confront seemingly insurmountable problems, we need to remind
ourselves that positive solutions can and do appear - often like magic - from the creativity within each
of us.
If you cry enough, will your
tears become a beautiful waterfall?
When your heart breaks into
pieces, will you be able to put it back together?
If your mind becomes muddled
by eccentric patterns and messages, will you ever speak the language of sense again?
When you lose your dearest
friend, will you find them in the maze?
If your body is taken over
by intruders, will you locate the secret code to hold them at bay?
When your stars go out of
control, will you be able to construct a new universe?
If you hold up a mirror,
will it reflect your light?
Yes, artists can do that.
- Colleen Kenyon, January 2003
Click here to return to 2003 Exhibition Archive
click here to return to 2003 Exhibition Archive