What:
I created the “Council of 9” and its companion piece, “The Threshold” as a total of eleven mixed media sculptures. They make up an installation in my studio-turned-exhibit space. Council of 9 asks that we as humans evolve our consciousness to be a more compassionate and aware species with genuine concern for others, the planet, and those generations that will come after us.
The Council consists of eight sculptures in four quadrants. They present themselves in a circle as a unified presence with the intention of revealing to the viewer (the ninth council member) the evolving philosophy of spiritual ecology and its core values of interconnectedness, reverence, service, and stewardship.
There is an urgency of our time as we seem to be in a universal “dark night of the soul” with issues such as a global pandemic, collapsing economies, political polarities spurred on by mistruths, climate change, racial injustice, and lack of spiritual connection.
Native American art and culture have inspired me for as long as I can remember. The Council of 9 has a semblance to the Medicine Wheel and also to standing stones.
Why:
This series of sculptures came knocking at my door one by one asking to be made. I did not know in the beginning that it would be one large piece comprised of eight individual sculptures.
The Innocents came first. I kept thinking about making a rabbit sculpture. When I spotted a long flower box in the garage, I knew that it was the body. I felt that this sculpture was such an intrinsic part of me. I knew and understood it well as it took shape.
The rest of the sculptures came one at a time and seemed to already know what they wanted to be as I facilitated their arrival through labor intensive processes. Many times I did not feel capable or skilled enough to make what was emerging but I just tried to trust the process. If I started taking a piece in a certain direction that wasn’t right for it, everything just shut down until I undid it and awaited further instruction.
I truly felt that I was participating in a mysterious process of co-creation that I helped to bring into form. These sculptures did not originate from me. I agreed to make them and found much joy (and some angst) in the process.
As I release them into the world, it is my desire that they might bring meaning and hope for people to find their best selves, become fully engaged in their lives, and learn to live from the power of love.
How:
My background is in fabric design and fine arts. I am a mixed-media artist that loves combining techniques and materials as if they’ve always wanted to be together. I am especially fascinated with wires and various threads. Pieces come through me as whispers, dreams, urges, and synchronicities. Each sculpture seemed to already know what it wanted to be and I just allowed it to be made.
The Ancestors, from the Before and After Quadrant
“…You inherit not only our wisdom but also our trauma and lack of love….”
66” x 35” x 25” – cable wire, cotton velveteen, wood, polymer clay
The Pollinators from the Natural World Quadrant.
“…Our numbers are getting smaller and smaller. We play a vital part in your survival…”
66” x 35” x 25” – cable wire, cotton velveteen, wood, polymer clay
The Father, from The Helpers Quadrant.
“I believe in your ability to tune into the harmony and energies of the natural world…”
72” x 23” x 18” – plaster, buffalo horns, wool, cotton
The Innocents, from the Injured Quadrant
“I am here to speak for the vulnerable ones that have been abused by others through cruelty and neglect…”
70” x 18” x 18” – cardboard tube, wood box, plaster, crocheted cotton, nails, seed pods, string.
Bio:
Carol Cameron graduated from CCS in Detroit with a fabric design major. After college she started her own line of hand painted and printed clothing. Later she ran her own after-school art program called “Art House” in the Avondale school district. She also taught homeschooled kids, summer art camp and worked teaching artists with disabilities at Paint a Miracle in Rochester, MI. Carol has shown her work in Joshua Tree, CA and various galleries in Michigan. She has two grown children that she adores and a best friend husband that she is eternally grateful for. They live in Rochester, MI.
Links:
To schedule a viewing of “Council of 9” at Carol’s studio, please contact her at woodbison@att.net
website – www.councilof9.art
Facebook – Council of 9
Instagram – council.of.9
Thank you for visiting Linda’s blog.
Linda K. Sienkiewicz is a writer, poet, and artist.
Learn more about her award winning novel, In the Context of Love.
Learn more about her picture book, Gordy and the Ghost Crab.
Learn more about her poetry chapbook, Security
I really love her creativity. You feel so uplifted by it.
It’s certainly inspiring! Thanks for visiting!!