I’ve just spent an hour trying to follow a Youtube video on how to fold an origami star so that I can pop one on all my Yuletide gifts. I’m that kind of wrapper: I’m the one who spends hours carving a heart out of an old potato and prints their own wrapping paper. Ever seen Rowan Atkinson in that gift wrapping scene in the must-watch Christmas film, Love Actually? That’s me. Except I’d never use a plastic bag - I’d have made my own from vintage paper, haha!
As an artist, I understand that the way I present my work is as important as the work itself. A fabulous frame can lift a painting from mediocre to marvellous. A zine transforms my writing from random notes to a cohesive collection of thoughts. The way I wrap my work is an extension of my creative vision: the wrapper is essential and meaningful, not just an after thought. Whether it’s an in-person show, Instagram, Substack, email, printed brochure, my goal is to put a wrapping around my work that reflects the beauty/poignancy/anger/frustration of the art itself. And that’s tricky sometimes because I don’t always have the resources I need, or the skills to be honest. That’s when I need to farm out tasks and lean on artist friends. I’d love to hear how you have wrapped your work this year and what challenges you’ve encountered - comment below if you’d care to share.
As I look back on 2022 and all the ways I’ve wrapped my work, I’m grateful to those who have metaphorically held the tape for me, tied a bow around the box, and sprinkled their magic glitter on my art practice. To my framers, curators, collectors, space owners, mentors, readers, the guy in Staples who was so patient with me when I was trying to print my zine, thank you! Art making is often considered a solo activity but actually it really does take a creative village to consistently produce and share work. Want to join the village? In 2023 I’m shifting focus towards community art making, creative collaborations and arts organizing. I’m not fully decided on all the containers and wrapping for this work but that’s the beauty of belonging to a creative village: I call, the village responds, and we decide together. A new collective is already in its infancy and we’re meeting monthly (online and in-person), so comment below if you’d like to join and we’ll chat.
Private View is taking a break until January to rest, contemplate and have cosy family time around the hearth.
May you be filled with joy, love, peace, and the spirit of Yuletide shine within and around you. Good Yule! Merry Solstice!
Until the new year,
JC
RESOURCES
That gift-wrapping scene from Love Actually:
The journal I’ll be working through over the festive season - click image to buy:
Origami star tutorial (i’m struggling with this!)