SPRING 2021 SPECIAL EDITION
THE KENSINGTON INFLUENCE AN INTERVIEW WITH ASHLEY FLYNN
What is your experience in Kensington. Why do you choose to devote your work to Kensington’s community? Well...I’ve spent a lot of my time in this neighborhood. As a working artist I have been at the Papermill Art Studios in Kensington for almost five years now. My work came to life here. There were so many layers of energy, so many families, all generations. There is a rhythm, a pain, and most importantly an undeniable resilience. It can be overwhelming, but it’s home for me. Kensington is authentic, transparent, and transformative – at least it has been for me. This neighborhood will constantly reveal the depths of the human spirit. I think that’s something everyone that’s been here can agree on. The streets have changed over the past five years. The crisis of homelessness is growing rapidly. Then the Kensington Storefront opened, and it became a sanctuary space for so many in the community. There I began my workshop, Journaling for Survivors, a collaborative and cathartic experience of leaving marks and stories behind. Words and paint spilled, acknowledging our individually, and collective resilience. The best part of a workshop was something people said so often. One day a man said “I never thought I could sit this long. While I was drawing I completely forgot about everything that was happening outside those doors.” When the opportunity for this artist residency came along with the Storefront collaboration from Philadelphia’s worldrenowned Mural Arts program, I knew immediately what I wanted to do. I wanted to create a clothing line with my community here. As the culmination of this residency, the clothing will go to unsheltered and low-income residents here. I saw this as a chance to unify the community, as well as beautify our neighborhood in a new way. I don’t believe it’s ever been done. Why do you feel art and artwear/streetwear is important to Kensington and the community here? Art-making is such a powerful form of therapy. It can take the most repetitive thoughts and make them still. When you’re numb, It can take the stillness and create movement. It can change whatever emotional state you’re in. It can allow you to be present. It can even access your memories. There are endless ways in which art is the most accessible way to reduce harm. It’s our most universal language. Clothing is like a language in its own right. It’s a symbol. It reveals things about your internal world externally, even
if we’re not aware of it. Ever since we were kids we’ve left sayings on walls and sidewalks, things like “I was here”. People have done this forever, because everyone craves visibility. In a world where they often feel invisible, they need to leave a physical trace of their existence. One of the ways that we truly show who we are to the world is in how we dress. It’s our shield. We need clothing like we need food ,and water. People out here are used to getting used clothes. Some are missing buttons and zippers. They sometimes have stains from someone else’s life. If they are lucky, they will get something new. However, I’ve never seen them get something specifically crafted for them. These clothes are more than your average designs. Streetwear for Survivors, which is the brand name for this line, is a lot more than your average streetwear. It’s Artwear. The pieces are like poetry pressed against your skin. The line of clothes is made for spring, and this line also reminds me of the magic of spring. Spring is a rebirth. Everything is blooming and growing. The world is painted with color again. It’s a new-found rhythm. Kensington is very alive in the springtime. Winters out here are very desperate – and even deadly. Now we have this pandemic to add another element of danger. Most of the people out here do not have shelter or even masks to protect them. I needed to give them a shield from this virus, basic protection that everyone deserves, but is a luxury out here. The masks, as well as the matching clothes, really show the vitality of life. The inner light within survivors that is still very much there, and just needs to be ignited. I am creating a community aesthetic as well. People are very tribal here; they stick together and protect each other. These clothes, I believe, will be a unifying symbol. If I can help be a part of the change in the way people of this neighborhood see themselves, it will be a success. How we appear is important to ourselves. That feeling doesn’t change just because you’re experiencing poverty in some way. I want to bring out the beauty I know is inside of them, and make them really feel it. Everyone deserves to feel a sense of pride. These clothes will bring them pride. I know it already, because the models that have tried them on expressed that to me. I would definitely wear everything I have made. I’m a survivor in so many ways too. So, I think I’m the perfect person to make clothes for other survivors. I plan to put on a runway at the end of this project to celebrate a community, to express my gratitude to them for entrusting me with their stories, and express how magnificent and resilient I know they are.
ABOUT THE ARTIST LEAH MARKUS Part of this project was to incorporate other artists. One is Leah Markus. She is an artist who works mainly in the realm of jewelry, her focus is turning art into something functional and wearable. When designing this mask, she was thinking of adornment as a source of empowerment. She wants the wearer to feel physically protected by the mask, but also strengthened by feelings of courage, beauty, and optimism. You can see more of her work at www.leahmarkus.com.