Hello fellow creatives!
Please join us in celebrating this beautiful and inspiring student exhibition. Our theme, ‘Holding Stories’, was inspired by a tree I witnessed at the Kunstgewerbe Museum in Dresden, Germany, during the opening reception for the International Paper Makers and Paper Artists exhibition. The tree had a stately presence, undaunted by her age and unconventional appearance. Her trunk’s circumference spanned four times an arms' spread. Branches, undulating far beyond their weight, lay gently on the ground, beckoning young visitors to climb up for a moment’s rest.
As I approached for a closer look, I saw hundreds of marks etched in her bark – some initials, others, proclamations of love, and still others, emblems or crests. How we humans love to leave our mark! At first, I felt saddened by the burden she had to bear. But she did not appear burdened – rather, proud. Proud to hold our stories: the ones we want to tell the world and the ones we want only the trees to know. This tree was willing, as trees often are, to keep our secrets for generations to come.
As we worked through the course together, many stories were shared. We all held space for each other. Through the lens of forest bathing, we discovered our hidden stories within. We found ways to hold them, process them, and then let them go. Seen through collective eyes, in the comfort of those who would witness our stories, we gained clarity and a sense of belonging. It has been, and will continue to be, an honorable journey.
Finding solace in nature is an integral part of understanding our inner selves. Reconnecting with the more-than-human world helps us form meaningful relationships with ourselves and our communities. We see the forest, or any green space close to home, in a new way. Nothing in nature survives alone. By tending relationships with other species, we thrive and remember what it is like to feel alive. These sensory experiences guide us through a transformative creative journey, opening our heart-sense and intuitive awareness.
Working in both book form and sculpturally, we gain a profound understanding of how perspective transforms in response to the angle from which we observe our creations. This fundamental aspect of sculptural art serves as a powerful metaphor, illustrating the complex, dynamic, and perpetually shifting nature of life’s journey.
As you view this exhibition, you’ll notice how each artist has discovered and employed their unique heart language. Materials, forms, shapes, and processes vary widely – and I couldn’t be more pleased! I am wildly inspired and honored to witness these stories, as I am sure you will be too.
Karen Olson
