Woven Selves was an evolving exhibition by Artist-in-Residence Kim Abeles
with eighty art students at Marlborough School on view from October 21- November 27, 2016 at the Seaver Gallery.
I wanted to experiment with the development of a project alongside the Marlborough School art students, rather than coming with a prescribed or predisposed product in mind. The thought has been to bring the students through a problem-solving process, where the outcome slowly pulls together, where successes are thrilling because failure is insightful, and the unknown is reliant on artistic faith in order to be filled with its potential.
The overarching schema involves a look at distinctions between the self and outside of oneself. We are living in the age of selfies, when a visit to a landmark is viewed as less important than placing oneself in a photographic memory. Yet, we understand its meaning when we look to the cave paintings of Lascaux, where a handprint on the rocky surface marks the relevance our existence.
I want to extend an enormous thank you to Marlborough School and the generosity of the teachers and their classes who created this experimental journey:
Chelsea Dean - Mixed Media
Josh Deu - Digital Storytelling; Beginning Film
Kathy Rea - Senior Thesis Drawing & Painting; AP Studio
Judith Tanzman - AP Photography; Advanced Photography
Gina Woodruff - Art Concepts