Saturday, September 12, 2020

Pay attention to what you pay attention to.

"For anyone trying to discern what to do with their life, pay attention too what you pay attention to. That's pretty much all the information you need."

Tweet by children's book author the late Amy Krouse Rosenthal, 2013




If you have read past posts you know I have been banging on about process.  And trying to work out what it means? And, how do you do it?  I have been trying to commit to making a mini collage ( about the size of the palm of my hand or smaller) each day.  When I look back at them I realise many featured birds. 


Earlier this year I was invited to submit works to an online exhibition  called  Listening in the Anthropocene.  I had ideas for both textile works and collage with found papers and was off like a shot trying both.   Then I read a bit about what the Anthropocene is and had a few more ideas.  And then I looked at the title.  It was Listening in the Anthropocene.   In my excitement I had missed the listening bit .  So, it was back to the drawing board to rejig my thoughts and ideas. 

I had been contemplating trying to reflect about climate change/pollution etc.  but it was the word listening which made me think.   How could I talk about sound and the effect on sound in the recent world.   I settled on a subject dear to my heart… the sad fact that both domestic and wild cats have added to the demise of our native fauna.  I focused on birds.  Less birds, less bird song.   And I focused on collaged papers.

I didn’t come across Amy’s words until after the exhibition.  It would have saved me so much grief if I had paid attention to what I had been engaging me.   Nevertheless,  have learnt more about me and process and what it means to me.

It was a wonderfully broad brief and gave scope to artists across so many fields.  Please take time to visit the gallery.



 


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Not quite a self portrait

Not quite a self portrait
small 8' quiltlet with embroidered hair

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