Marta is a MARWEN alumni and is very passionate about the school and its programming. In December of 2009 she asked me if I would show with her in their alumni gallery. After almost a year and many long conversations about art making I asked Marta to reflect with me on our process. I will post bits of our conversation and works here in the next few days...
Sonja: What is Marwen? What does it mean for you to show there?
Marta: Marwen is an organization that offers free art classes for youth. It is a place where young artists go because they want to be there. It is a place that offers inspiration, support, education, feedback as well as many other things without asking for anything in return. It is a place that has changed my life because I am sure that if i did not have the experience I had at Marwen, there is a big chance I would not have ended up in an art school...
Having the ability to exhibit my work at Marwen means a lot to me because I have a tremendous amount of respect for everybody there. By having a show there I wish to inspire the students that go there and hope to make the faculty proud. This would be my way of showing appreciation and staying connected.
Having the ability to exhibit my work at Marwen means a lot to me because I have a tremendous amount of respect for everybody there. By having a show there I wish to inspire the students that go there and hope to make the faculty proud. This would be my way of showing appreciation and staying connected.
S: When offered the opportunity to show at Marwen, why did you ask for a collaborative exhibition instead of a solo show?
M: I was originally thinking about doing a solo show but eventually the idea of having such great responsibility became too overwhelming. After talking to Arielle, Coordinator of Alumni Programs, I decided that it would be a much more enjoyable experience for me if I worked with another artist.
S: When we started talking about the show last December I remember being moved by the enthusiasm and energy you brought to the table, it was impossible to turn down the opportunity to work with someone so motivated. I can't believe it has been almost a year since that first meeting, we are in the midst of final printing, editing of video and I am expecting my baby's arrival any day now! It is interesting how our conversations about time and the ephemeral in photography became more palpable for me in my 9 months of anticipation.
July 6, 2010 from home/away, Marta Shumylo & Sonja Thomsen
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