This Participatory Drawing was created with a group of approximately 10 writers and social activists, whom I shared an artist residency with, at the Blue Mountain Center in the Adirondack Mountains (NY state) in fall 2016. I taped down a large sheet of paper on my studio floor, and we created this drawing in several sessions over the course of a week. It was very rewarding for me to work with this group of adults, and to see their dedication and enthusiasm in a media that’s entirely different from their own typical ways of creative expression. With this highly educated and politicized group of people, these communal drawing sessions also provided opportunity for discussions ranging from social justice to election-related topics. (The project took place shortly before the 2016 presidential elections).
This was the first Participatory Drawing project where we cut up the finished drawing to create smaller drawings that can stand on their own. An empty picture frame and rulers helped us frame aesthetically compelling pieces in various sizes and proportions. This “framing process” was surprisingly engaging and fun for the entire group.
These drawings base on very simple guidelines – a circular pen gesture and a focus on texture and abstract patterns, rather than form and object. This ensures coherence for the overall drawing, while the individual hand adds to the diversity of patterns and contributes to liveliness and success of the drawing. Participants are encouraged to play with density and openness – concentrated dark areas versus loose brighter areas. It is suggested that they move across the canvas in their drawing effort, rather than restricting themselves to a certain area of the paper. The idea is to create a rounded piece rather than a sketchbook-like accumulation of individual drawings.
The drawings take place on very large sheets of paper (cut from wide rolls), which are taped to a wall or to the ground. We work with fine tip artist pens filled with black Indian ink.
The drawing process is meant to be relaxing and meditative. This particular project served as a platform for political and philosophical discussion.
