All artworks by Lanie Smith
Interdependent, Summer 2008 in Uganda • 1 artwork
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cut images from doodles done by Ugandan children and oil pastel on paper, 11x14 inches, 2008
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Biography
“As a Christian Brothers University alumnus, I studied Psychology and Art and am now enrolled in the Creative Arts Therapy program at Pratt Institute of Art in Brooklyn, New York. I have recently returned from Gulu in Northern Uganda of East Africa where I have been researching art therapy with formerly abducted child soldiers for the past two summers as a participant of the Minority Health International Research Trainig(MHIRT) project funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH).
My work is firmly rooted in my previous study of behavioral science while recent installations and paintings have focused on the exploration of thoughts and emotions as they relate to defense mechanisms and survival techniques. Additionally, I am fascinated with the process of integrating the past with the present as well as self image and worth. It is my goal to relinquish control of my medium, which I’ve recently done with paint and sculpture in order to allow for an undetermined aesthetic, while simultaneously creating an ephemeral quality. My current work has moved towards acceptance and letting go of the need to micro-manage the details. So much of daily life is out of our jurisdiction, yet we sustain habits and routines in hopes of fulfilling our need to understand the world around us while identifying order. It is my goal to relinquish this attachment in my work allowing it to serve as an example of this transient nature similar to our thoughts, emotions, and external surroundings. Each piece pushes me closer to accepting the individuality of the work in its eccentricity as I strive to encourage others to do with their own character. It is basically a nurturing of the piece which mirrors my view of man kind, all in need of compassion and an acceptance of the ebb and flow of nature.”
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Nationality:
UNITED STATES
- Date of birth : 1979
- Artistic domains:
- Groups: Contemporary American Artists
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Last modification date : Aug 5, 2009
(Member since 2009)
Image views: 157
Artworks by Lanie Smith added to favorite collections: 0
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Added Apr 14, 2009
Interdependent
Benjamin L. Hooks Gallery, Central Library, Poplar Avenue
Saturday
1
August
2009
Monday
31
August
2009
In Interdependent, I have used drawings given to me from children in the village of Hope North where I spent much time over my summer in Uganda. The history of this country is often unrecognized as it is home to one of Africa’s longest civil wars lasting more than two decades now in the northern part of this Eastern country. My role there was to conduct research on the use of art therapy as a psychosocial intervention with war affected adolescents. Working with formerly abducted child soldiers left me with an overwhelming sense of helplessness in which I could not remove their pain or erase their memories. Since I am not yet in the role of art therapist, I observed the art intervention when I was not conducting art education for our control group. Taking such valuable data from these kids can be difficult to justify on a day-to day basis as these kids have seen officials come and go over and over. The researcher has to be reminded of the bigger picture in proving the efficacy of the therapy in order to fill the need for such rehabilitation.
While in Bweyale, which is home to the village of Hope North, I became accustomed to spending time with the small kids when I was not collecting data. We used markers and college ruled paper, which to these little tots was like Disneyworld for American children. After my first trip to Hope North, I left with a stack of drawings they had given to me as gifts. And so I began a series of collages to make sense of my experiences and the insights I was gaining from those around me. These drawings use the doodles of my beloved babies at Hope North, where I returned in May of 2009, to stress the importance of inter-dependency by integrating my style with their doodles, words, and contour lines. Their overwhelming need has given me purpose and inspired me to forge ahead, developing the skills necessary to return and provide, if only a sliver, the healing tools this community so deserves.
Added Apr 13, 2009
Artist Statement
“As a Christian Brothers University alumnus, I studied Psychology and Art and am now enrolled in the Creative Arts Therapy program at Pratt Institute of Art in Brooklyn, New York. I have recently returned from Gulu in Northern Uganda of East Africa where I have been researching art therapy with formerly abducted child soldiers for the past two summers as a participant of the Minority Health International Research Trainig(MHIRT) project funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH).
My work is firmly rooted in my previous study of behavioral science while recent installations and paintings have focused on the exploration of thoughts and emotions as they relate to defense mechanisms and survival techniques. Additionally, I am fascinated with the process of integrating the past with the present as well as self image and worth. It is my goal to relinquish control of my medium, which I’ve recently done with paint and sculpture in order to allow for an undetermined aesthetic, while simultaneously creating an ephemeral quality. My current work has moved towards acceptance and letting go of the need to micro-manage the details. So much of daily life is out of our jurisdiction, yet we sustain habits and routines in hopes of fulfilling our need to understand the world around us while identifying order. It is my goal to relinquish this attachment in my work allowing it to serve as an example of this transient nature similar to our thoughts, emotions, and external surroundings. Each piece pushes me closer to accepting the individuality of the work in its eccentricity as I strive to encourage others to do with their own character. It is basically a nurturing of the piece which mirrors my view of man kind, all in need of compassion and an acceptance of the ebb and flow of nature.”
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