![Shirley steps [back] into her g...om head to toe, February, 2022.](https://cloud.visura.co/911998.story_x_large.jpg)
![Bri, an activist and independen...X, [finally] rests, June, 2021.](https://cloud.visura.co/912004.story_x_large.jpg)
Private Project
Alexia Grant Submission - Shape Shift
Summary
Energized by the courage and dissent of those before us, more and more women are unapologetically assuming the shape of their true natures. When we are liberated to connect with ourselves and collaborate with one another from this empowered place, what environments might we transform through our everyday lives, textures, movements, rhythms and work? Shape Shift visually explores these possibilities.
1. Transparent conversations sharing their stories as women. This step was completed in 2020.
2. Individual documentation in each woman's preferred space of being. Receiving the images began in 2020 and will extend to the second quarter of 2022. Some documentation is taking place virtually.
3. A collaborative project between each participant and myself based on our intuitive promptings. These collaborations are being discussed and will take shape throughout 2022, completing in early 2023.
Currently, there are over 1000 images that make up Shape Shift. Each woman's imagery is nuanced, intimate and contains a fusion of social documentary images, abstract images and digital composite work. True to its name, each moment of connection with a participant shifts the process of the project which, in turn, affects the shape of the full body of work. While some images will be traditionally displayed, this project also utilizes the photographic imagery as a starting point for collaborations. To give a few examples, the photographic content of Shape Shift is being used in collaborations to:
- prompt channeled journaling which will map the frequency of each woman's voice
- create a tarot deck based on shadow work and care.
- inspire live intuitive dance/movement based on each woman
- guide the flow of fabric and dye work
- answer the question "how might art support activism and how might activism support art?"
I am debuting Shape Shift at a private residence in Salado, TX no later than June of 2023. Six acres, to include a 2500 sq. ft. metal framed, gallery inspired home, are at my disposal to transform with the images and collaborations of Shape Shift. The funds from the Alexia Grant will be used to help produce this show. [to date, no other funding has been secured] My short term intent with this work is to set a precedent for my brand/artist persona while offering a moment of hopeful confrontation by transforming an environment with the conversations, photography and collaborations of Shape Shift. Currently, with the rights of so many Texans under assault - specifically women, BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities - visual conversations of possibility are vital to motivate some, disrupt others and generally keep us all moving on an upward trajectory. Long term, any proceeds from Shape Shift will be used to initiate a funding model to support artists who are survivors of gender based intimate partner violence. This fund will create a unique ecosystem of support and will also honor the women of Shape Shift over the life of the fund.
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