There but for the grace pt 1

You may already know
I do art with with less -than- abled people.
In particular one woman.
For five years Clarrice has been astounding me.
And this photo isn't her.

It's Judith Scott,
but it could be Clarrice.
Their stories are similar.
More about her in part 2.
This is about the simplicity of creation.

Like my mate Clarrice,
Judith Scott had the misfortune
of being born in an era when disability
or "otherness" was brushed under the table,
like so many breadcrumbs.

Born a twin, with Down syndrome,
the wisdom of the times labeled her
retarded and promptly did the right thing -
institutionalized her.
No one noticed she was deaf.


Thirty five years later,
this strong, mute woman finds her groove
and begins to create fibre sculptures.
So obviously un influenced
by outside stimuli, her creations
are wrapped, gathered, knitted
and bound, often in twos,
maybe referencing the deep bond
she had with her twin sister.

She used whatever she could find,
and her objects are buried deep
under layers of wool,
knotted fabric and string, like a gift.



Once she got going,
and it took two years of turning up
to the art centre, randomly scribbling
before she picked up fibre - she was unstoppable.

Judith had found her medium
- the language with which to communicate.


This is the magic,
the gift that I envy.
Such an artist is free,
they go to that place of pure making, and the road from deep within to the outside is clear and straight.



No white noise,
no perceived audience,
no external evaluations,
it is communion.





It is what keeps me returning
to hang out with Clarrice. She has no deadlines,
no what-will-others-think distractions;
no how-will-I-pay-for-the-new-roof worries;
no will-this-be-good-enough-to-get-in-a-show fears.

Sure she has other worries, but at the art table, all is immersion.


If you are really goofing off
and want to hear more about her,
this 4 minute clip is wonderful.

more about Judith's life and art

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