Sustainable Growths
Art Installation, Transformation of Blighted Home & Free Community Art Classes
My aims with this public installation were to draw attention to specific Indianapolis neighborhoods in need, to transform a blighted property into a safe and beautiful space, to work with Indianapolis residents to make their communities more vibrant, to give birth to new visual forms that stem from the language of painting and to continue to employ sustainable methods in the production of my works.
Although, my initial idea was to make an installation on top of the blighted home, I felt that further transformation was necessary. I took all of the boards off of the windows on the porch, fixed the fence and the gutters, put a new door on the front of the house and cleaned up the entire property. I also decided to start holding outdoor art workshops at the site to reclaim the space. Through conversation and promotion of the art workshops, I was beginning to know the residents and their stories. The Community and Program Coordinator of CAFÉ, Yvonne Smith-Hendricks, helped me to organize and lead the workshops, which felt deeply meaningful for me.
In the spring, I began building the installation, which is 361 square feet.
Using artificial plants gleaned from discarded crafts and recycled RCA Dome fabric, I created a composition that references transformation, growth and vitality. The play of light and shadow on the white surface lends itself to a composition in flux.
For me, this project is a symbol of care, protection, empathy and home.
This project is supported by:
New Frontiers Grant- Indiana University
Internal Arts and Humanities Initiative – IUPUI
CAFE - Community Alliance for the Far East Side, Inc.
