Public Art, Collaborations, and Events
Professional Judge Comments
Art And Soul Of The Magic Valley 2021
Thu, Jul 29, 2021 at 4:52 PM
2D Honorable Mention - 11-054 - Wendy Blickenstaff
This is a powerful mixed-media piece that really illustrates the chaos that has ensued over the past year, during the pandemic. It is a celebration of art and creating during a time of fear and death. You can see the emotional gymnastics the artist has been subjected to, as well as the sense of collective suffering. Clearly a printmaker, the artist has pieced together lots of different prints, each conveying some little piece of human experience, whether its empathy, hunger, isolation, connectedness, or even the joy we felt during an otherwise excruciating time. Each print is seemingly sewn together with her own humanity, and the whole thing is tied and weighted down with large blue rocks, as if to emulate the weight of such difficult times. A wonderfully quirky, large footed figure also rests at the bottom right of the piece, with hands over its face as if overwhelmed by the all the emotions and the possibility of re-assembling the impossible puzzle pieces surrounding the outer edge. Will we ever recover? A lovely element in the work is the artist’s invitation for the viewer to participate and share their own experience in their own words- an obvious reminder that we are all in this together. It offers an altruistic, therapeutic experience that is accessible and very much appreciated as we are all moving forward together. Sincere gratitude to the artist, her intentions, and her medium.