Impressions is an ongoing social engagement project that hands over the power of making to participants. The objects created in this series serve as documentation of two individuals brought together to make a single object. Each set of Impressions is tied to a specific location and community.
As the facilitator, I approach people on the street and ask for their assistance in an “art project.” As I introduce myself and purpose, I invite other strangers into the conversation. In the end I ask for two volunteers to help me make this object. The two people, sometime strangers, friends, or family members come together through a handshake. I hold up a 5 x 5-inch slab of clay, and their handshake is done through the slab of clay leaving the impression of either persons hand on each side. Once completed I take these sculptures back to the studio to be fired. Then they are waxed and stained in order to highlight the details of each person’s impression, before being fired again to final stone state.
I have personally found great benefit from making objects and experimenting with different mediums. My goal with this project is to empower those who do not consider themselves artists and give them the opportunity to be the artist.
