I Have Given My Whole Life To Words
It was a honor to create a commissioned art piece for The Forum Communications offices in Fargo, ND. Working with a media organization that understood original art, like great journalism should be enjoyed and revered for years was rewarding. They could have just as easily filled that space with something less original. They knew I was passionate about telling their story but to hand over so much trust in the creative process was an unexpected joy.
Research and collaboration was an essential part of my creative process. Understanding the Forum’s history, talking first-hand with journalists, printers and archivists about their passion at the paper, how they interact with each other and within the community allowed the process of storytelling to unfold.
Using a variety of materials and techniques relevant to the newspaper and journalism as a profession, I combined text, newsprint and old textiles in unconventional ways. Original wood type was hand-rubbed with graphite on paper then enlarged and hand printed on the piece. At first glance you will see re-appropriation and re-use of cryptic reporter notes and remnants of a printer’s apron. But further exploration reveals a multitude of layers. A host of stories about community, historic events and life changing experiences that are re-interpreted through bits of cloth, paper, paint and text.
A reflection of the individuals it surrounds, the art is expressive, full of continuous motion and a bit chaotic. My hope was that everyday curiosity would lead one to see something new, to ponder the complexity and the multitude of layers and stories within the piece and the world in which we all live.
The video tells the story of how this piece evolved and took shape.
