Art Steps by Vivienne Binns

This Art steps activity is based on my work of art, Mothers’ memories, others’ memories: postcard rack, which was made in 1979–1981. Like this work, the activity encourages the ‘drawing out’ of memories relating to the special women in our lives, and the ways these women express themselves creatively.

The activity is a process-based activity and focuses on the communal sharing of memories, rather than a concrete outcome.

So that means it’s very much about the way we make things and the way we talk about and share the creative making of our mothers, our sisters or our cousins.

Step 1. Collect paper and pencils ready to draw memories as they come into your mind.

Step 2. Sit down with your family, carers, or friends in a relaxing space. I always like to have a cup of tea when I meet and chat with participants or friends. Perhaps you would like to have a nice drink, too.

Step 3. Is there a particular woman who is very important to you, such as your mother, your grandmother or some other woman who may be related to you or who you may know very well. Share their name with your families and friends. And say what makes this person special to you?

There are always people in our lives, who, when we look back in time, we can see that they had a very important impact on who you became and what you do and your values.

Step 4. Discuss with your families, friends or carers, the people that you’re working with:

• How does this special woman like to be creative?
• Do they like telling stories?
• Do they like growing plants? Or cooking? Sewing? Fixing things? Or building things?
• What materials do they like to create with?
• What kind of things do they make?
• Are they interested in photographs? and have they made family albums, for example?
• Where is this art now? Where has it been kept or displayed?

Step 5. Draw on your paper thoughts or memories about this person as they come into your mind.

The goal of this activity is to share memories of the special women in our lives. It also gives an opportunity to think about how women have been creative in the past and the present, and to consider what makes something ‘art.’

I feel that art can be created by anyone, not only ‘artists’, and this has been the focus of many of the community art projects I have undertaken. Much of women’s creativity in the past was not valued as ‘art.’ Even the most beautiful embroidery projects, and knitting or crocheting etc. have been considered as not very important. This Art steps activity encourages us to think about, and value, diverse creative expression and how women have expressed their lives through materials that haven’t been always consider as art materials.

Step 6. Share your drawing. Describe the person you have drawn, a memory about this person, and how this person expresses themselves creatively.