A few weeks have gone by since starting the NewCourtland project, and now we're already halfway through!
We meet with the senior residents at the Germantown Home on Mondays and Wednesdays. We started the class by getting to know them and by interviewing them about items from their childhood or past that they loved, but lost. We made small paper books to help write and illustrate the specific objects and the stories attached to them. Kay's objective is to recreate these lost objects in a 2D format: first by drawing them, then screen printing them onto fabric, and then using the Trapunto method to sew and stuff them (like you would a pillow). All of these items will then be combined and arranged into an installation (the final product!)
I have been working with Gladys G. She's currently 89 years old and grew up on a farm in the Maryland countryside. I love hearing her stories! When asking her about her past and the objects she loved and lost, she had the whole class rolling with laughter. Her stories are beyond memorable; she was quite a wild lady!
The first object she told me about was a Baby Ruth candy bar. When I asked her why, she replied by telling me that, at age 7, she stole her dad's Model T by piling up pillows on the front seat, and drove two miles down the road -just to go get a Baby Ruth!
And so, Kay researched the Baby Ruth designs from that time period and asked Gladys which one best resembled the one she had. Kay then drew them, screen printed them and everyone in the class stuffed and sewed them! They turned out super cool!
We've also started screen printing one of Gladys' other items that she talked about: a pistol! She said it was real pretty and had a pearl handle. She's not sure what ever happened to it, but she said she used it once to scare off some boys that were chasing after her daughter! Gladys was a tough cookie!
Here are some pics of Gladys screen printing. Screen printing can be challenging, but it can also be very accessible for people with disabilities, and so it's really rewarding for some of the residents to try printing! It's been a very fun and positive thing for everyone.
I'm really enjoying the NewCourtland project. It's been a really great experience getting to know Gladys and I'm looking forward to continue working with her over the next couple weeks. It's really wonderful to see her sense of accomplishment after working on a piece in class; from her story telling to her screen printing, you can tell that she's genuinely happy to have been able to help create a beautiful piece of art.
No comments:
Post a Comment