I’ve been hanging around with artists lately. This is not something new. I’ve always enjoyed the company of creative people -- writers, crafters, gardeners, painters ... They’re not exactly normal, which is how I like it.
One thing an artist does is write an “artist statement.” It’s a proclamation, really, and it takes considerable thought.
It’s kind of sickening to be so self-focused. But you know what? Without pausing to think through these questions, there is no clear artist behind the artwork. If I don’t know what I’m trying to express, who does? And so, I ponder...
What’s my purpose?
Why do I make my art?
What does it represent?
What is special about how I make it?
What does it mean to me?
Here’s my first-ever artist’s statement; see what you think.
Artist Statement
Creativity has always been very highly valued in our family. When it came to play, my brother, sister, and I were allowed to go anywhere and do whatever we wanted. So we danced outside in the pouring rain, took night-time excursions through the woods, and we played at the dump.
One thing was not permitted: to be bored. More than anything else, this has shaped my life. So I’m busy. I have ideas. I do things.
When I turned 50, as a mode of self study, I recreated famous works in torn paper. I copied Van Gogh, Manet, and Vermeer. Then I branched out on my own. I sold many of my torn-paper collages.
About this exhibit
Since my mother passed away in 1996, I’ve been addicted to genealogy. Like many people, I feel that my loved ones who have died are still with me.
But I also feel connected to everyone who came before -- from cavemen to Croatians, native americans to Norwegians; I know them. And I’m not afraid of these spirits, I sense they are wholly benevolent ancestors.
The portraits used in this exhibit have been collected from the Phoenixville Area Historical Society, Chester County Historical Society, and Spring-Ford Historical Society. I wish to thank them for their support. Additionally, a few photos came from family stashes and flea markets. In most cases the subjects’ names have been lost, so I have re-named them. Do these people belong to you?
Here's an example. A friend commissioned me to create a painting using a vintage photograph of her great, great grandmother.
Exhibit interaction
Imagine that for each painting a biography exists of that person’s life. Now in your mind, open the book to a random page. Pick a sentence off the imaginary page and write it on a sticky note. Stick the sticky on the wall. What story line comes to you?
About the artist
Holly Cusumano is a 1972 graduate of A.D. Eisenhower High School, Norristown, PA. She attended Ursinus College for 13 years as an adult, graduating cum laude in 2005 with a B.A. in English and a minor in Creative Writing.
Retired from Vanguard after a 28-year career in marketing, she teaches workshops on art and herb gardening, another passion.
In a Philadelphia gallery exhibit “Home and History” at The Plastic Club, Holly won first prize for her beeswax collage “Atlantic City Easter Parade.” She took first prize for the same piece at the 2013 Members’ Exhibit at the Phoenix Village Art Center.
What’s my purpose?
Why do I make my art?
What does it represent?
What is special about how I make it?
What does it mean to me?
Creativity has always been very highly valued in our family. When it came to play, my brother, sister, and I were allowed to go anywhere and do whatever we wanted. So we danced outside in the pouring rain, took night-time excursions through the woods, and we played at the dump.
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| Torn-paper collage After Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring |
In 2013, I switched to an encaustic process after trying plain beeswax as the glue to hold my collages together. My work is considered photo-encaustic, that is, I combine antique photographs with encaustic paints.
Since my mother passed away in 1996, I’ve been addicted to genealogy. Like many people, I feel that my loved ones who have died are still with me.
Lost Spirits ~ Found Souls
April 4 through May 3, 2014
Phoenix Village Art Center
207 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460
The portraits used in this exhibit have been collected from the Phoenixville Area Historical Society, Chester County Historical Society, and Spring-Ford Historical Society. I wish to thank them for their support. Additionally, a few photos came from family stashes and flea markets. In most cases the subjects’ names have been lost, so I have re-named them. Do these people belong to you?
Here's an example. A friend commissioned me to create a painting using a vintage photograph of her great, great grandmother.
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| Photo-encaustic painting of Emma Jane Worrell |
Exhibit interaction
Imagine that for each painting a biography exists of that person’s life. Now in your mind, open the book to a random page. Pick a sentence off the imaginary page and write it on a sticky note. Stick the sticky on the wall. What story line comes to you?
Holly Cusumano is a 1972 graduate of A.D. Eisenhower High School, Norristown, PA. She attended Ursinus College for 13 years as an adult, graduating cum laude in 2005 with a B.A. in English and a minor in Creative Writing.
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