SHADES OF GREEN is on exhibit at the Delaware Center for Horticulture until Dec. 2.As a printmaker and mixed media artist, I spent years using harsh chemicals. My hands were a mess. So, I started greening my art methods, changing all my inks to water-based ones and reusing materials and papers whenever I could. Of course, as a mixed media artist, it’s hard to throw anything out—trash is my medium of choice. I am forever picking things up from the streets, although I make sure to not use any toxic materials.
In June 2011, I read an article in Grid about how artist Tom Judd uses found cardboard in his projects. It sparked an idea for my group of 25 ARTsisters to make art from the old art we all have in our closets. ARTsisters is a group I founded in 2005 when I realized my long-time friend and fellow artist, Leslie DeBrocky, functioned as more than a friend in discussing and helping me with my art. She understood the process and could really understand the highs and lows involved in the challenges of being a professional artist.
Many ARTsisters are also very green oriented, so I suggested to the group that we each donate three pieces of art for a GREEN group project. The art was then repurposed (i.e. torn up and reused) into four large 4’ x 6’ panels, which we then painted and collaged. Twenty five artists working together on a project and not killing each other is a great feat! We did have an executive committee of three who oversaw the project and had the final say, making sure there was cohesion and that the completed art project worked.
We want this SHADES OF GREEN project to remind people to be aware of the beauty of nature and the impact of human consumption. Natural beauty will only be here if we take care of it and limit how we live and interact with it.
The project is currently on exhibit at the Delaware Center for Horticulture until December 2. We are looking for other public venues were it can be shown. – Linda Dubin Garfield, lindadubingarfield.com
For more information on the SHADES OF GREEN exhibit, visit here. For hours and directions to the Delaware Center for Horticulture, visit here.
Wow! Repurposed and recycled is wonderful, but to be collaborative and astonishingly beautiful all at the same time as well is awesome! May this innovative exhibit find many more public venues to carry its many layered message.
Great finished product after an interesting process. So many artists involved. Bravo to all of you!! GREEN is the way to go.