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Creativity and Imagination #4

May 17th, 2006

Yesterday a group of portraits arrived from Sudbury for the In Your Face project. They were created by cancer patients and their caregivers. Opening up that envelope with two of my colleagues brought instant silence to the room. I can’t think of a more powerful indication of the basic human need to create. Is the process carthartic, life fulfilling? Does it help us understand? Is it an act of sharing or hope or desperation… or what?

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  • http://www.arc.typepad.com/customercrossroads Susan Abbott

    I think this project is seriously cool, and put an entry on my blog about it, as a way to engage with your public/cusotmers. Here’s the link:
    http://arc.typepad.com/customercrossroads/2006/05/engaging_with_y.html

  • Marian Doucette

    Thank you for your comments surrounding your receipt of portaits from cancer patients and their care workers. Yes, I can see where these artworks would cause you to pause, think and wonder — signs that their submissions are both successful and powerful.

    As to the questions why? what prompted their response and creativity?

    On a personal basis I can respond. Last year, I too was undergoing health issues that prompted a career change. Happily, I found myself seeking out and securing a position in a creative environment. Here at Gallery Stratford I was surrounded by caring individuals, thought provoking works, a quiet inquisitive public, and opportunities to rediscover my own strengths — creativity, writing, art making. The visual arts allowed me to express my rage, calm, strengths and ultimately work through all of the emotions I was keeping bottled within. Art saved me — allowed me to regain the pieces of me that I feared I’d lost.

    Your portrait project allowed those cancer patients to find their arts outlet. I hope that their experience was as restorative as mine.

  • Marian Doucette

    Thank you for your comments surrounding your receipt of portaits from cancer patients and their care workers. Yes, I can see where these artworks would cause you to pause, think and wonder — signs that their submissions are both successful and powerful.

    As to the questions why? what prompted their response and creativity?

    On a personal basis I can respond. Last year, I too was undergoing health issues that prompted a career change. Happily, I found myself seeking out and securing a position in a creative environment. Here at Gallery Stratford I was surrounded by caring individuals, thought provoking works, a quiet inquisitive public, and opportunities to rediscover my own strengths — creativity, writing, art making. The visual arts allowed me to express my rage, calm, strengths and ultimately work through all of the emotions I was keeping bottled within. Art saved me — allowed me to regain the pieces of me that I feared I’d lost.

    Your portrait project allowed those cancer patients to find their arts outlet. I hope that their experience was as restorative as mine.