3 minute read
Zoie Holzknecht
When we feel the Seeker archetype at work we are often facing difficult or important questions in our lives. Embracing the Seeker means bravely reaching out into that unknown space in spite of, and because of, the gaps we see and feel.
Brave Spaces attempts to portray the dichotomy of the spheres we inhabit and are influenced by; our internal and external worlds, the human and the divine, the perceptions we carry with us and the actions we take or don’t take. The decisions we make and the questions we ask inside one of these spaces are inexorably linked to the others.
The Seeker reaches out and acts externally, and also reaches within to find further understanding. Discerning which core beliefs are assisting in her efforts, and which appear to be helpful, but only serve to weigh her down, will affect every step of her climb.
The Seeker reminds us that all climbs and questions can bring rewards of their own if they are untethered to manicured looking paths and specific outcomes. Grace is found in our efforts.
Brave Spaces 2022 51 x 40 in Photography NFS ZoieHolzknecht@gmail.com
Hard Truths Anthology
Every year we initiate “topical groups” as part of the Creative Strength Training community. These groups, which have on average 8 - 15 members, explore areas of special interest to the members, and are a source of camaraderie and learning.
The Big, Bad, Beautiful Brown project created by artist Jill Littlewood, inspired a group that refers to itself as the Explorations in Social Practice Art group. These members have spent 2022 exploring social justice issues and how to address them through their art-making practices. The work is sometimes confrontational, often made with recycled, or cast-off materials, and is made in order to raise awareness around social justice issues.
We are committed to a fair and inclusive world, and are proud to include this subset of works within the Inspired by Archetypes exhibition catalogue this year. Congratulations to these CST members. I hope you will find their work to be thought-provoking. Hard truths are not easily dispelled, but acknowledging them is the first step toward change.
Jane Dunnewold & Zenna James
Hard Truths Anthology
In the summer of 2021, during the throes of the pandemic and racial protests throughout the country, Jane Dunnewold introduced Jill Littlewood to members of Creative Strength Training (CST). At the core of Jill’s art and life is a passion for social justice. It was this passion as well as her collaborative art project, Big Bad Beautiful Brown, that led to the formation of the CST focal group, Explorations in Social Practice Art. We are artists committed to exploring the use of creativity and community for the purpose of raising awareness and initiating discourse about issues facing our society that are difficult to accept. We researched past and current individuals and groups involved in social practice art and we studied how to create compelling and intentional statements through our art. This exhibition is the culmination of our explorations.
No matter the issue each of us chose to give a visual voice – racism, police brutality, the environment, gender equality, gender identity, or hunger – each of us was driven by our desire to affect change. This commonality often led to discussions of the various archetypes that undergird our efforts. Many of us have discerned that the Rebel, the Advocate and the Judge are at the heart of our individual passions.
Whichever archetype may be involved, collectively our desire has been and continues to be that our art will bring the viewer to a deeper awareness of various social justice issues, and offer artful ways in which we can make a difference. We hope that the social justice issues depicted in our exhibition, Hard Truths Anthology, will promote greater understanding, awareness and compassion.
Nancy Tully & Jo Thomas
