CC: All My Relations
CC: All My Relations, is the title from an art project I have been working on this summer at the Native Friendship Centre. I am an artist/activist, from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, or as the First Nation call this place Turtle Island.
My use of the term 'All my relations' is in reference to all my respect for the aboriginal cultures of Canada. Ellen Gabriel the artist and activist and president of Quebec Native Women's Association refers to this expression to explain her understanding that encounters with people from her own culture and history as well as people from outside her heritage are all a part of her. (Ellen Gabriel Citizen Shift)
CC: refers to Carbon Copy, the icon on our emails, as well an actual carbon copy on paper. This summer I offered free original portraits to community members at the Native Friend ship Center drop in and Inter Tribal Youth Center. In return I make a carbon copy of the original drawing and transformed my carbon copies into stencil prints.
Once complete I enlarged my stencils 275% as photo copies. I returned to the NFC to present my 28 enlarged portraits as a group on the wall. The reaction from people was very positive and encouraging.
Anya from Homeless Nation filmed me and community members hanging up the images at the NFC. (see video)
I will post more images and continue to write more about my art practice and my public intervention projects as I have lots of stories to tell.
Kathryn, I have the same name! It's a good name. I've been an artist for over 20 years. Your story inspired me greatly.
When I lost my home because of severe depression, I also lost my creativity. I hadn't been creative for four years. I was numb within.
My first attempts at regaining my thirst to create was through wire. I just played with some old wire and began shaping it. It kick-started my interest in work I did as a teenager. To afford supplies in art school I used to hand-craft jewelry and sell it on the street and in boutiques.
I read your story and have thought I could perhaps help people with my art. Thanks for the new kick-start in a new direction.