I hear this over and over when people stand in front of my art piece at an exhibit, that I call "Tools of Her Trade".
It’s a close-up I made years ago of a stylist using a classic hot curling iron - focusing on her hands, skillfully guiding the hot iron through a woman's hair for the perfect curl. No faces, just the hot work.
What fascinates me is what happens next. Viewers (women & men!) say the shot brings to mind special smells, sounds and memories! They can hear the clickety-clack sound of the iron, of Saturday mornings, of moms, sisters, kitchens or salons and the rituals of getting ready. “I can almost smell the hot hair on the kitchen stove and all the noisy morning sounds”, a person cites, with smiles and smiles.
It's amazing that a single image can bring back such emotions: sound, scent, the care, artistry and the many stories—and I love hearing every one of them.
The 36" × 24" framed photo is part of a large exhibit at the Richmond Art Center featuring 150 African American artists, each showing one piece. It’s also at my Oakland Open Studios location, Studios 11, as a smaller print.
If you’d like to hear more about it, I’ll be speaking at the Artist Talk on Feb 21 at Studios 11 with other artists in Jack London Square. For those who’ve asked, I’ll also have a few 11×14 prints available. Studios 11@ 560-2nd Street, Oakland, 2 -5p.
What's your story & I’d love to see you there.
Pat Patterson
info2@patpatcreates.com