ENCOURAGING STORIES SPONSORED BY HOMECOMING COFFEE AND GIFTS AND THE BIRMINGHAM CIVIL RIGHTS INSTITUTE AND MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GRANT FROM BIRMINGHAM CULTURAL ALLIANCE/KRESGE ARTS READ AND SEE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE SPOKEN WORD ARTISTS AND MUSICIANS IN THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE BY THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS. Marika Johnson of Pleasant Grove with her daughters Maia Johnson (8) and Nadia Johnson (6) who became homeless after the April 27th tornado are shown with the artwork they have in the exhibit during the opening reception of "Encouraging Stories," an exhibition of wriitten and spoken word, music and visual art by members of Birmingham's homeless community at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011. The exhibit runs until January 22, 2011. (The Birmingham News/Jeff Roberts)
What the images were about... I took a more light hearted side to the events that occurred. I have found that not all horrific events equal tragedy. It depends on what you take from that particular situation. What was learned? Some times 'things' happen to good people. The larger image--a self portrait I entitled "When Things Fall Apart". Almost five feet in height, the girls came up with many of the objects that were amongst the chaos. A bed, a vaccum cleaner, chairs, even the kitchen sink are depicted topsy-turvy/upside down. On the side of the frame are names of many of those who reached out to us. The Johnson Family thanks you! Which brings me to my next piece. The smaller image on the top is my ode to unity. I found that so many people were SO helpful after the storm. It was heartwarming... so many messages, notes, letters. Thoughts and prayers for our well being. You never know who is on your side until a hardship occurs. Thats when true friends come into play and thats what I attempted to depict. "The Grim Side' is the only one that speaks of the sadness. a textured layered piece, with a touch of grime and grit. The girls and I enjoyed the creative processes of this project. Thanks for taking a look! If you havent seen the entire exhibit, swing by the Civil Rights Institute today.
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