The H.O.P.E. Portraits Open in The Lyceum Gallery
H.O.P.E. Portraits
October 1-7, 2020
Artists Statement
These triptychs are the result of a mentorship between the Lyceum students and the West End Phoenix. Each of the four students selected a community leader in whom they found inspiration; a person whose vision translates into agency for positive change. They were assigned a formal portrait, an environmental portrait and a detail study of a “tool of their trade”.
Pia Bouman, Founder and Artistic Director at Pia Bouman School for Ballet, filmed February 7th in her studio. Her shoes tell the story of her ability to lift herself and others to their potential through dance.
by Mia Risojevic
Anita Bright, Midwife at Midwife Alliance, filmed in her clinic room on February 14th. Her hands have supported, intuited and promoted choice for many women, and have literally caught hundreds of new lives.
by Violet Long
Andrew McMartin, Founder and Director of The Pine Project, filmed February 21st in Etienne Brule Park. The fire is both a practical and symbollic emblem of his practice of igniting in children an appreciation and respect for nature that will last beyond childhood.
By Julian Moncarz
Tanya Golden, Founder of the Island Art School, filmed September 5th in and around her home studio on Ward’s Island. Children have left their marks on her art table for 24 years much as her generous and nurturing spirit has imprinted kindness in what Montessori calls the “soft inner wax” of early life.
by Paloma Wilkinson-Latham
September 28, 2020
These portraits have waited through lockdown for their moment. Both the images and the words of the subjects cast hope forward. With dedication, sensitivity and vision, much can be accomplished. As we head for an uncertain future, this is a pause to find beauty and appreciation in true leadership. It was powerful to witness our students develop technically and artistically as photographers through this project but it was truly inspiring to watch them consider deeply how best to honour their mentor with this work.
Thank you to Jalani Morgan, Photo Editor at the West End Phoenix, for sharing your expertese with us; to Dave Bidini, Editor-in-Chief of the West End Phoenix, for providing ongoing support and opportunities in print for youth; and to Marina Dempster for being our in-house artistic actualizer. We are fortunate (and grateful) to have you to look up to.
Holly Venable, Director, Lyceum Gallery