Newington Day Centre
Title of Work: Sparkle in the Light
Arts Care Project Artist: Anna O’Kane
Art Form: Visual Art
Like diamonds, people can have bright, sparkly, yet multi-faceted qualities. For our” Sparkle in the Light” project at Newington Day Centre, we made a range of diamond-shaped willow lanterns to reflect this thought. Each participant in the group worked with willow and tissue paper to make their lantern and decorated the facets to reflect some aspects of their life. The internal structure was entwined with small LED battery lights and when illuminated, one lady commented that it looked like diamonds were sprinkled inside.
There’s nothing quite like adding a self-portrait to an artwork to personalise it, but no one wanted to draw themselves, so we opted for a fun photo session instead. There always needs to be a plan B. Striking a range of different poses, everyone embraced the task and faced the camera with enthusiasm. Their favourite pose was selected, printed and the portrait traced onto tissue that would embellish one facet of the structure. There was no arguing over who owned what lantern after that!
We also discussed what it meant to shine like a diamond, a task that was approached with thought by some and by humour with others- all part of being unique individuals. The text chosen by each person embellished another facet of the diamond lantern.
Activities and people that light up our lives or make it more colourful in some way was another topic of conversation. It could have been a hobby, music, friends, family or partying. The diamonds of bright tissue pasted across the lanterns, football print, music notes and other touches reflect the colourful and personal hobbies that enhance life.
Sadly, one of our members Gabriel O’Connor passed away just before Christmas. I’d been told that the things he valued most were poetry, family and community. The group were keen to have his lantern finished to stand on display with all the others at the exhibition. We finished it for him so that his light may continue to shine among his friends.
Congratulations to all the participants from Newington Day Centre, thank you for taking art in this years Here & Now Festival, you have been shinning lights.