Badges: A Visual Autobiography – New Works in Progress

With 3 exhibitions coming up within the next 3 months, I’ve been focused on getting my studio practice revved back up and have several new works in progress. 

One of my upcoming shows is “Must Love Art”, a large collaborative show with my partner Barbara Gilhooly, opening on Sept. 5th at the CCC Gallery in the Carnegie Building here in Fort Collins.  It’s a beautiful 2200 sq ft. gallery space.  We’re planning to include works that we collaborate on making as well as pieces that we individually make, yet are mutually influenced. 

The exhibit will include multiple themes and mediums (Barbara and I both earned our MFA’s in printmaking and sculpture) and showcase work mutually influenced by two artists that live and work together.  This show IS our “gettin’ hitched” celebration.

Badges

One of the themes in “Must Love Art” will include a number of small personal badges.  I’ve been thinking about making these for some time now, and created the first few last week.  These are my personal patches, in some cases, autobiographical badges of honor.

“Fat Iron”, 5×5 inches, mini textile painting (fabrics and stitching) ©2014 Ayn Hanna

I consider these a visual diary, an introspective honest representation of self.  Imagery and text emerge intuitively, while stitching or out walking.  Each little badge honors some aspect of my life, those things I’ve chosen as notable in some way.  Some, such as “SBR: 70.3” are celebratory, marking my accomplishment of my first Half IronMan Triathlon race (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run = 70.3 miles).

“SBR: 70.3”, 5×5 inches, mini textile painting (fabrics, stitching) ©2014 Ayn Hanna

Others are a way of acknowledging learning, growth, imperfection, and impermanence.  Some are perhaps a way of naming things I’ve held on to but am ready to leave behind.  Wabi-sabi.

“Bag o’ Rocks”, 5×5 inches, mini textile painting (fabrics and stitching) ©2014 Ayn Hanna

And still, creating this group of badges is about more than creating a visual autobiography.  It’s also about practicing and sustaining a professional art-making process, becoming a better artist.  Working the creative process to develop an idea realized through a quality body of work that has meaning, interesting drawing/mark-making, and all “hangs together” well.

The badges are each ~5 inches square at the largest and include layers of my hand-dyed fabrics with hand and machine stitching.  In the exhibit, I envision a large grid and/or multiple groupings of these intermixed with complementary works that Barbara will create in response.  We shall see.

For now, I’m enjoying my contemplative studio time.  It’s so good to be back making Art again.  I’m curious what you think of this new work.  If you have a reaction to it and are willing to share, please leave a comment below.

Thanks!