I've been wanting to use a print tray in an art project for quite some time, but didn't quite know where to begin. When Featherstone Center for the Arts placed a call to all local artists to participate in their "The Art of the Personal Altar" exhibit, it was just the inspiration I needed. I purchased an antique Hamilton print tray on Ebay, and began to reflect on my journey through life. What has made me who I am today? What moves me? What fills my heart and gives me joy? What guides me through life spiritually?
This is what the print tray looked like when I unpacked it. I loved that the partitions were different sizes & I proceeded to make templates out of scrap cardstock that would fit into the different compartments so that my background papers would fit well.
Next, I went through my stash of scrapbooking papers & set aside images that represented me or that would serve as good backgrounds for the items that I wanted to display. Then I gathered memorabilia and objects that inspired me, told my story, or made me smile.
The rest was an organic process. I decided that my piece would be titled "Journey" and my intention was to honor the journey of my life thus far. This Personal Altar would be a creative expression that would hang on my studio wall as a reminder of who I am, what fills my soul, and what connects me with the world around me. Papers were inked and adhered with Mod Podge; items were aged with paint or ink, as needed, before gluing down, mostly with Glue Dots.
The upper right hand corner displays The Little Prince, the charmingly profound little book that my oldest brother gifted me -a book that helped shape the young woman who has grown into who I am today. The background behind the figure is from the first visual-effects movie ever made & represents the beginnings of the technology that governs our life today. The images to the left of it represent my life on Martha's Vineyard...the Flying Horses Carousel that I have enjoyed with my sons and grandson, the strength of womanhood & the everlasting friendships that I forged on the island. Below the image of the prince, you will notice an ancient map of Hungary, my birthplace. The metal tag on it reads "Family" and the miniature potted plant represents the transplanting of the Farkas family as well as my dad's love of plants...something that that he passed on to my sister and me. The image of the tight-rope walker with the parasol (by Graphic 45) represents my playfulness, my fondness of New Orleans, & the fine line I have always traversed in my adult life as I "soar" fearlessly through it all. The next compartments symbolize "The Playground of the World"...my love of daring & risky endeavors & also the amusement park that was the location of my first date with my first lover, now my ex-husband.
The upper left-hand corner of the piece is about the immergence of the adult me and the formulation of all my loves. Paris...travel...appreciation of good wine and good food. The romantic dreams of the little girl (represented by the tiny photo tucked among the star-filled sky) grew into fearlessness in love and business. The tiny bircage hanging above the tiny cluster of plants & flowers represents my first business "Plants of a Feather", in which I sold plants & birds on Providence, RI's Eastside.
The lower right hand side of the print tray shows a map of the United States emblazoned with the banner that spells "Freedom". In front of the map, I've placed significant paraphernalia of the time: the iconic Life magazine with the Beatles on the front cover, the "Kennedy for President" button & the miniature American Dictionary. Together, they depict the flight to freedom & the scramble to learn the English language and to embrace the American lifestyle. The seashells near the bottom represent the desire to be near the ocean, and the drawing of restaurant clients underneath the words "Laugh" and "Play" give a nod to the many years devoted to the hospitality industry (but with a tongue-in-cheek smile). The Newport, R.I. years are noted by a poem, "The Blessing of the Boats" by Lucille Clifton, with an image of the Newport Bridge & metal music notes representing the Newport Jazz & Folk Festivals and the countless classical concerts I attended at the mansions during those years.
The lower left of the print tray portrays my love of the cinema, the Academy Awards, Hollywood, Barbie collecting, and creative writing. The little baby with the blue diaper represents motherhood & the Budha with the flowers is a nod to Herman Hesse's Sidhartha, which had a significant influence on the evolution of my spirituality, as did my Catholic upbringing, which is evident in the tiny blessed "Virgin Mary" pendants purchased at the Vatican in Rome.
Here I am standing next to both of my pieces at the show. The Alice in Wonderland-themed tableaux, titled "We Thought You'd Never Come" is a whimsical shrine to the magic of childhood fantasy. You may see more of that piece, as well as some of my other dioramas in an earlier blog post by clicking (here).
I love that the print tray piece is not only visually stimulating to look at, but that it tells the complete story of my life's journey with symbolism and humor. It is in fact, my own Personal Altar.
Thanks for visiting...as always, I welcome your comments & questions.
Hugs, Enikö
