Family line drawing series

The process of documenting is something that really interests me.  Also, I am realizing more and more that I am a process based artist.  For me so far this means that the process of making my art often dictates how my ideas evolve and sometimes -like with the installation above - is how the concept is conceived.

When I first began doing line rubbings my mother-in-law was visiting us in Montreal.  As she watched me use various objects she got more and more excited about what else I could use and began passing me textured items like tea towels and lace pillow cases to rub.  That's when I got really excited about the idea of making more line rubbings, but with other people involved in the process.  It was as if I was creating abstract evidence of our relationship.  Right away I knew that my first collaborative line rubbing project would be with my family for the purpose documenting our family relationships and celebrating our interconnectedness.

These pictures are line rubbings which have been layered as acetates to make a series of sculptures.  The unique thing about these rubbings is that they were a collaborative effort by my Mother Fiorella, Father Russell, two brothers Michael and David and myself.  Every page has one line by each member in my family making each page a family portrait of sorts.  Each member used objects of their choosing with pencil on paper.  When layered they create dynamic family sculptures, interlacing each story in ways which allows them inform and augment the meaning of each others stories.

It was such a joy to connect with my family in this way in a time when we are all dispersed throughout North America.  The common act of creating lines in the same book brought us together in such a unique way.  The sketchbook traveled from Montreal to Vancouver then to Hawaii, back to Vancouver and finally to Montreal again where I finished the sculptures.  In another post later this week I'll share more about the objects that were used by everyone - it was really interesting to see themes in each persons object list.  Some of the items made me laugh too like my Dad's Moose-mate-calling cassette tape.  I'll also share the original line drawings which are really interesting on their own.

I'm really looking forward to working more with these.  I already have an idea in mind which involves printing the lines on fabric to make a soft sculpture representing my mother; the matriarch.