Beginnings

I entered this community engaged project with a very open plan - actually, there was no plan or at least no fixed vision or outcome. This is how I usually work in my own practice. I begin with 'beginnings', rather than 'endings'.

Our initial starting points were simple:

1. Drawing - existing and new understandings and perceptions of what drawing can be.
2. Diaspora - we are all women who live away from our ancestral homes.

In our first meeting, I introduced myself to the group by giving them a glimpse into my own art practice, with a focus on my approach drawing. Prior to showing them images of my work, I asked, What is drawing? They responded with;

architecture
nature
abstract not realistic
design
mind maps
drawing with kids
cartoons
animation
graphics
engineering
3-D
embroidery
anatomy

Gallery shot from my recent exhibition/live work installation Hajara Waraka Miqass Plump Gallery November 2011. Photo by Viv McGregor

Following the overview of my work, I re-framed the question. What can drawing be? We managed to add a number of other approaches to our definition and understanding of drawing.

colouring
sketching
beading
knitting
crochet
crafting
stitching
painting

We then discussed the existing skills and interests of each participant - which I listed on a large sheet of paper.

embroidery
henna/mehndi
painting
architecture
working with found materials
crochet
knitting
dress making and designing
flower arrangements
collage
gardening
cake decorating
stitching
glass painting
interior design

I explained my process for working and generating ideas. From these discussions, I was trying to create a number of starting points to begin working from.

I asked them to bring three things to next week's session;

1. A piece of cloth from home

2. A tool that they use for making/engaging in one of their existing 'skills and interests'.

3. A story that relates to them in some way.

"It's like travelling in two boats..."

I will start this document today, week six of a project I have been working on with a group of Australian women from the Indian subcontinent in the Western Sydney suburb of Blacktown.

We're working together to produce a collaborative artwork for a forthcoming drawing exhibition at Blacktown Arts Centre (opening 19 July 2012) called Remarking/Remaking: Australian Drawing Connections.


Today, we began drawing on cloth with a needle and thread (this act is often called embroidery).

We have come to this place after 5 weeks of discussions, sharing ideas, references, drawing with pens, pencils and textas on paper. Drawing with scissors, paper and glue (also called 'collage') and large wall installations. I will be discussing these aspects of our process in more detail in other posts.

Today, I believe I may have also found the title of our collaborative work. During our discussion about diaspora, home and what it is like to live 'between cultures' one of the participants, Priya, said "It's like travelling in two boats." This really resonated with me, I loved the poetics of it. I named this blog 'Travelling in Two Boats', whether or not we use it as the title of our work, I am unsure - I like to keep that process open...

I did find this interesting article about language and 'journeying between worlds' from Outlook India after searching the phrase.