Following up on the Trunk Gallery opening where several families were able to attend, we asked to revisit with the artists.
During our parent teacher conferences on 10/12, we scheduled a couple hours for the teachers to visit Trunk Gallery with the lens of collaborative work. Mitchelito and Chalavie paint together, on the same canvas, at the same time – much like our partner drawing done in the classrooms. We took this opportunity to interview these artists to discover what it feels like to share a canvas, and idea and a vision. Here are some outakes from the interview:
- “You need to not have any expectation of what the painting is going to be like. It’s more like an experience.” -Chalavie ( C )
- “First we take turns with a color at a time…. He goes over my line, I go over his line but that’s okay, we take turns….Every time I go to the canvas I look and say ‘okay, now what would I do?’ What would you do if you had complete freedom?” ( C )
- “There’s never a moment when Cha does the hair, Mitch does the eyes.” Mitchelito (M)
- “At first we let each other (have) space because we are building. Then at some point at the end we are fine tuning the areas and both working on it at the same time.” ( C )
The teachers reflected upon our return to NSW:
“They have a lot of trust for each other. Even though there’s a short time of getting to know each other. They see it as a challenge or opportunity to get to know each other. They threw out a lot of values that we use.” -Flora
“Difference is used as a tool to unite and that is clearly depicted in the work. And that’s why they don’t have to communicate because both of them have their system inside and it comes out through the work.” -Ivana
“You know how you can finish another person’s sentence but you can’t explain that? It’s because we work on a common ground.” -Cynthia
“It’s classic small group work that honors the individual. You do have to honor the individual in the collaborative work.” -Roleen
In the days that followed, Teacher Sam offered collaborative painting experiences in the mini studio and teachers viewed work through this angle. To support the practical application of this concept, Atelierista Cindy and Studio Teacher Amy and I met to set up a provocation for the teachers in the kitchen.
We set out a blank canvas with an invitation to respond to a Tibetan Bell with color and paint. This will become the under painting. Next week we will invite the teachers to respond to the canvas with a fresh perspective each time it changes and as a representation emerges, we will work in pairs to fine tune it.
You’re welcome to ‘play’ with us on the canvas. Come in the kitchen and add your voice to the dialogue.
xoxo Kristin