I am thrilled to have had three works accepted for this exhibition — Ephemeral/Ephemera: A special exhibition of small encaustic and cold wax works on paper at Mulranny Arts in Mulranny, Ireland. October 10- November 15, 2023
Mulranny is where I taught this summer and it is such a special place. This is how the Call for Entries described the theme:
Ephemerality is a state that is deeply integral to the human experience. Moments, objects, and beings; all exist for a brief time and then disappear or transition to another state. We consider that which is ephemeral to be particularly fleeting, and a poignancy resides there. Closely related, ephemera are the bits and pieces of our lives (typically paper items) that were not intended to be preserved yet become the memorabilia that we keep to memorialize those meaningful but passing moments.
This is my first piece (above) and its description:
“This small work comes from a lifelong ephemeral dream of seeing my mother walking ahead of me in the fog when we lived in London when I was a child trying to catch up with her. I’m not sure where this dream came from because my mother was kind and caring and would never have walked away from me, but the dream persists.”
More about the Ephemeral Exhibition: Ephemeral/Ephemera will showcase works on paper that illuminate the concept of the ephemeral from an artist’s perspective, using wax as a primary medium. We invite national and international artists to consider how we experience ephemerality. Dreams, memories, chance encounters, nature, time, seasons, and even the nature of wax and paper itself are potential areas of exploration. What do we wish to hold on to, and what do we wish to let go of?
Here is my second piece, called “Wednesday’s Child” which is based on the photographs that Lewis Hine took of child labors in the US in the 1920’s. His photos ultimately changed the laws about allowing young children to work in fields and factories. I have been fascinated with these images for over a decade and return to them again and again.
More about Ephemeral Art: It is a transient form of artistic expression that exists briefly, often changing or disappearing over time. It encompasses various mediums, including street art, sand sculptures, and performance art. Ephemeral artists embrace impermanence, challenging traditional notions of art’s durability, and provoking viewers to appreciate the beauty and significance of the fleeting moment.
This third piece is called “Caged Memories,” and it expresses how difficult it is to hold onto the ephemeral beauty of lost moments, even if we try to bind them to our hearts.
All of this has me thinking about the whole idea of ephemeral impermanence and its influence on me and so many other artists. It is a first cousin to the idea of Wabi Sabi, which as you know is the Japanese aesthetic emphasizing beauty in imperfection, transience, and simplicity, finding elegance in natural flaws and the passage of time.
I suspect as we get older we both identify with and grapple with the idea of impermanence. Seeing the beauty in it is one way to come to terms and be a peace with it, to “find elegance in the passage of time.”
Here’s a good quote related to the complex idea of ephemerality and impermanence:
“If we don’t insist on defining impermanence as unsatisfactory, then it’s natural to celebrate. Just a moment’s pause to consider the passing of the seasons is enough to convince anyone that not only is impermanence the source of all possible joy in this life but it’s the movement of life itself.” ― Lin Jensen, Bad Dog!: A Memoir of Love, Beauty, and Redemption in Dark Places
It’s is a good topic for this Monday – a day of loss and memories. And this week will be gone before we know it! Quick, make some ephemeral art – it won’t last forever but it will shine in its moment!
Thanks, as always, for reading SHARDS.
Deep are the waters in these pieces- Lyn you have a true gift with the subject. Beyond wonderful.
What an inspired look into your world.
Shannon, my friend – your work is the epitome of memory and rebirth – I owe you a debt of gratitude every day!
Ahhh extraordinary and fleeting! Congratulations on the Ireland showing!
Thanks so much – I am lucky, lucky!!
Beautiful works. Congratulations!
Gaye, thanks – hope to see you soon 🙂
Lyn, CONGRATULATIONS! Three fabulous pieces of art. Your stories behind each piece are so interesting. Linda
Thank you, Linda – it was a really interesting topic and theme. ♥
These are beyond beautiful….poignant, touching. Alice Holden, Bill Bonham and I enjoyed being at the altar show on Saturday. I was enchanted by your small encaustics in the gift shop. We had a wonderful time and created some great memories.
You are the best – I am sorry I missed you but we will hug in person soon!
Glad your works will be in the Mulranny show! And congratulations on the award at FASA show yesterday! Good work!
Thanks, Pat – both those things were huge surprises but I am doing a happy dance!! ♥
This is so well said and thought provoking. Thank you so much Lyn for, again, sharing your thoughts and work as a springboard for other’s inspirations!
Thank you, Patsy – I so enjoyed seeing your inspiring photos from NM ♥
Congratulations on your work being selected for the exhibition. (Doesn’t surprise me at all, but I’m very pleased for you.)
I appreciate your thoughts in this post as well as your beautiful collages.
❤️
Thank you, Julia 🙂
Wow, Lyn. Your images are so evocative! I want to write about them! CONGRATULATIONS on your well-deserved acceptance into the exhibition. Your boundless imagination and intuitive interpretation of images always send my poetic muse to flights of fancy!
And your poetry and wind chimes inspire me!!! ♥
Lyn, these are amazing! I can’t explain what these images made me feel…but, the did. .. I’m at a loss for words. Thank you for sharing!
Paulette
Oh, Paulette – thanks more than words can express 🙂
These are all beautiful and haunting pieces, Lyn. Are you using encaustic or cold wax in them? Very moving work!
Actually, I think they are all beeswax 🙂
As always…wonderful work and thoughts as well! I am blessed to have the opportunity to know and work with you.
Hugs, Sue – we share so many of the same threads and themes
These pieces are beautiful. Congratulations!!!
Oh, thank you, dear Ann-it is always so good to hear from you. ♥
Lyn,
Hauntingly beautiful and so expressive!
As always, I am moved differently whenever I see new insights through your art into the world I think I knew. How you marry your images with words enhances the possibility I see in each one and helps me access some old, forgotten memory of my own. Your art is truly Universal.
Congratulations on your honor! Well deserved!
Paige, coming from you that is high praise indeed – ♥