Conversations... with Dad: Artist in Residence

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Artist in Residence - Tracey Malloy

There are many times that I wished I lived either in Newark or at least close enough to take advantage of the Newark Museum. Currently,they have a number of talented and interesting artist working there as a part of the artists in residence program. One of them is Tracey Malloy. I'm really drawn to her work focused upon topics of discomfort.

This is what she has to say about her work Kids that Kill Kids Series:

This the first piece in the series is what drew me in:

You can view this and other works at Tracey's website. Here is the link Tracey Malloy Official Website.

Recently, there has been a considerable amount of information published about the adolescent brain. Notably PBS FRONTLINE:Inside the Teenage Brain which reports on research which demonstrates that the teen age brain is not fully developed. And further it appears that that portion which is the slowest to develop is that which governs our ability to make appropriate choices. It's the reason for the constant parental mantras: "What were you thinking?"

It appears that there really is a scientific bases for those stop signs that contained only the words "...because I'm the Mommy that's why!" Would I have been more compliant/understanding if I knew that I couldn't always trust my judgement because I wasn't functioning with a full deck? I think I would. I think it would have also assisted my daughter understanding why I parented in the way I did. Heck, it would have helped me understand. But generally, as a parent, it was more about operating from my gut and my historical "learned" behaviors and observations. That there was a physiological reason for me to not abdicate responsibility for decision making to my teenager never crossed my mind. Who knew?

Kids/children/teens need to allowed to be kids/children/teens. But, they can only do that if adults take responsibility for being adults. I believe that, we have given our children far more responsibility then they are capable of handling. Far more then there "underdeveloped brains" are able to process effectively. If we're lucky, the results--the unintended outcomes--are not violent or life threatening. And, everybody walks away. Too often, for me anyway, someone doesn't.

I think Tracey Malloy's work allows us a sensory connection to the realities of Kids Killing Kids. Art is special that way. This artist will be at the Newark Museum on Thursdays (1/27 and 2/3) from 12pm to 5 pm. There will also be a reception on Fri. 2/4 from 5-8pm. I'd really love to get there and have some conversation with Tracey about this and some of her other work. I'd also love to see what she's up to now.

What about you?

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About this Blog

My father died in 2003, 6 months after my mother. After his death, one of the things I missed most was our conversations. So I started this blog. We would sit at the kitchen table or on the front porch and have these long, philosophical conversations about the state of everything. Then we would solve all of the world's problems over a cigarette and a cup of coffee. One of the warmest memories I have was of him sitting on the front porch talking to me while I painted around him. It was the beginning of summer and he was commenting on how he wished he could pick up a brush and help. He often would read something from the paper and then voice his righteous indignation. It would end with a "It's a damn shame!" or "They must think we're stupid." I miss that. I miss the bond we shared around joint perspectives. And I miss the knowledge that could only come from one seasoned with so many life experiences, especially now that I have come to the point in my life that I know the real important questions to ask. I am 60 years old, and came of age during the '60s. I'm a proud boomer. I remember when poets poeted

Writers wrote... Actors acted out, Painters created art from everything and anything that remained still long enough to be painted

and there was truly civil disobedience at the very thought of someone taking away any of our freedoms.

And the world began to shift... A little. Well, I took a rest. And it must have been a long rest. I feel like Rip Van Winkle. Anyway, by the time I REALLY woke up things were shifting back. Way back. And right now, I gotta say I'm feeling like it's gonna take more thin I got to turn this around. And my dad's not here to share my anger, to talk about our outrage, and to answer my questions. So here is where I can have the conversations I would have with him if he were still here and we could share a cigarette and a cup of coffee on his front porch.