Link 1: "Presence" submitted by Maryrose Flanigan
Link 2: Together in Black and White, photograph submitted by Alisa Kotler-Berkowitz
Artist Reflection: Our presence with one another can’t have the full range of color right now (how can it without the hugs?). But even without the hugs we can still be present - just in black and white. Still laughing together, even from 6 feet away. Still loving, even from a distance. Even when the color is stripped away, we can get down to the basics. To the black and white of love.
Link 3: Reflection, pencil, pastel and marker on paper submitted by Stacey Moriarty
Artist Reflection: The photograph I worked from, which I interpreted very literally, inspired me to ask the following: What is the elderly man seeing? Who is best cared for by the visit? Moving to color, then adding halos of light and an arch in the trees- I hope to suggest the visit is angelic or guardian-like in nature. The visit is meaningful to both the visitors and the visitee.
Link 4: Our Breath is Gone, poem submitted by Leann Shamash
Link 4: Our Breath is Gone, poem submitted by Leann Shamash
Artist Reflection: As the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, the beautiful drawing "Reflection" reminded me of my father's story of hiding in the woods of Poland.
Link 5: The place where dreams hide, acrylic on canvas submitted by Joelle Tomb
Artist Reflection: This painting reflects spaces of imagination that we create to find dreams and safe places. Each world seen through the solid gray marks resemble some imaginary bubble and also mimics the various emotions we can go through during the pandemic.
Link 6: “Protection and Inspiration” submitted by Jude Sydney
Artist Reflection: The image evokes a sense of protection and inspiration with its many tones of warmth and coolness, reminding us of the fluctuations of life.
Note: This chain was started with a submitted community response to the prompt: How have you cared for others or how others have cared for you during these challenging times? The artists did NOT see the reflections written by the previous artist, only the image of the work and the title. The reflections were revealed only when the chain was complete. The six links in the chain are intended to offer a creative way to connect and offset the six feet of physical distance we need to keep from each other in order to care for each other.
Feeling inspired? Create your own artistic response to this chain and share on instagram #translationsart.