Upstate last weekend I made two new paintings that grew out of the work that I have been doing in the sketchbook drawing each figure, painting them, adding turbans. Then suddenly I woke up two months ago and had to paint in the apartment at 5 am. I covered the small bed in the tiny bedroom with newspapers, pulled out 3 sheets of 12 x 18 paper and started painting with all I had: tempera and cardboard….ink and a brush. These 3 paintings and the sketchbook drawings were the source for the 2 paintings done upstate. See all 5 of them on my newly updated website. Thanks H!!!! Love you so MUCH!!!
Author: Angela Fremont
Recent photos and turbans
After many, many cutting and folding attempts, I have figured out the right size dimensions for the girls’ turbans. Now, it’s just the fun of folding and tying square knots on their heads in these beautiful fabrics.
Laguna Dark Brown Clay
Recent work in this new clay body working from cone 04-cone 4 has been really wonderful. I love the rich dark color, and how it goes almost black at cone 4. The turbans look bright and celebratory on the girls. The red-brown figure is from the previous clay batch.
Sketchbook drawings
As each sculpture is finished and begins to dry, I score a number inside and do a drawing to track the progress of the project. I used these drawings as source for the two prints above.
Figures with turbans
Just photographed these figures and wanted to share with you.
Drypoint prints in progress
Two figures from my sketchbook drawings of the sculptures.
Books
I’ve been working on cutting, painting and wiring books together for the girls to stand on in the installation. Every book that is cut in half hurts. I was raised to respect words, language, the written word, and the great texts of the world. I think about the loss of all this to these girls taken at the moment they were studying for exams and in the midst of deep concentration over their studies. I want so much to return them to the time when they could study, read, laugh over funny passages and share stories.
Sharing stories is where the project is headed and will be the subject of my next post. Here’s a picture from today in the studio.
Thank you!
Hello! If you are looking at the Chibok Blog, you may have already seen the other tabs on the Chibok website. Those tabs describe the impetus of the project and hopeful outcomes. This link will share daily stories of the work in the studio, drawings and prints of the figures, and the efforts to get the work out.
Last week I participated in a printmaking workshop at MOMA led by Michael Kelly Williams in connection with the Charles White exhibition. I made several drypoint intaglio prints there and can’t wait to make more. I’ve also been working with Karin Bruckner at the Carter Burden Center using the same process. Wonderful!
The kilns have been busy with the figures. Working with Olivia Beens at the Carter Burden Center I got the first 75 built. Thank you, Olivia!
To date I have 111 girls made. Each girl is numbered and drawn and a fabric turban is made for her head. The clay body I have been using is a low fire brown. I want to give a shoutout to Sana Musasama who has supported this project with her heart and soul. Here’s a picture from this week.
Hello everyone! Welcome to the Chibok Project Blog.
More to come!
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