Comments on: 3 Artist Stories To Inspire You

By: Victoria Pendragon

Wed, 25 Jun 2014 12:35:45 +0000

In reply to Beth.

Thank you, Beth.
Childhood sexual abuse of any sort is a difficult subject for many to ‘respond’ to. When I first contacted Locality Gallery I made reference to a “10 foot pole” (as in, most galleries wouldn’t touch it with a…) but there are some out here that are willing to share in the hopes that by sharing we can reduce the shame that is so wrongfully attached (by the perpetrators!)to those who have been assaulted in the hopes that it will silence them. All too often, that works.
But not always…

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By: Beth

Wed, 25 Jun 2014 05:41:37 +0000

In reply to Victoria Pendragon.

Victoria, I just read Witness and am absolutely floored. My mind shudders to think of a child/adult having to live with that yet at the same time I’m awed to know that you have had the strength to find mental, emotional and physical freedom from the past. Your story deserves to be heard.

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By: Gail Frasier

Tue, 24 Jun 2014 02:31:00 +0000

Lisa Call has been my inspiration for several years though I am way falling behind on acting as she has done.

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By: Victoria Pendragon

Mon, 23 Jun 2014 21:05:43 +0000

Thanks for the idea, Alyson; I hadn’t thought of that.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Mon, 23 Jun 2014 19:44:44 +0000

In reply to Victoria Pendragon.

Great story, Victoria. Seems like women’s magazines and blogs would be ideal to reach out to.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Mon, 23 Jun 2014 19:42:59 +0000

In reply to Mary Claire Crow.

Thanks, Mary!

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By: Victoria Pendragon

Mon, 23 Jun 2014 12:36:18 +0000

I always enjoy so-called ‘success’ stories, perhaps particularly so because – having ‘gotten over’ a fatal disease – my life itself is one!
But I actually have an art-related one too.
Sometime within the year after my mother’s death I was moved to begin what I knew would become a series of collages around the emotional and psychological ramifications of childhood sexual abuse and incest. I ended up with 16 pieces and then I stepped back and thought to myself… but what gallery will ever show this?
The work is not graphic in a sexual way but the whole topic is one that is rarely addressed in art. Plus, of course, it’s unlikely to sell. The series(and each piece has a text panel that goes with it)was formulated as an exploration and an education, not as something to ‘enjoy.’ It’s challenging. And so, I realized, the only place it might ever be seen was on my website which now hosts the ‘gallery,’ Witness.
However, to my great surprise and delight, via a friend, I heard about a small gallery in Bedford, PA, a town about an hour and a half away from me, that was showing a series of works on slavery. Well, I figured, there’s a gallery willing to tackle sociological issues, I’ll give it a shot… I did… and the owner jumped at the chance! He was so excited that he’s scheduled it for the time of year (October) when the town draws thousands of tourists to it.
I’ll be presenting a talk on opening night; that’ll be easy; finding venues for publicity directed at the topic is more of a challenge, but we are both working on it and I’m learning a lot!
My dream would be to sell the show, as an entity, to some corporation or institution that would show it around the country… we’ll see what happens!

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By: Mary Claire Crow

Mon, 23 Jun 2014 12:06:52 +0000

Thank you for sharing these stories! I loved each one of them.

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