A Note From the Editor
My one and only resolution for 2024 is consistency. I resolve to be consist is all areas of my life starting with this. Each month I will produce one issue of Remnants Magazine.
I’ve been told that consistency is key. I’m trying.
Sonya B.
IN THIS ISSUE
ART
Editorial: Art & Politics
What’s the role of art in politics and should it have one?
Photography
This month in photos take a look back at 2023. Photos by YardGirl Creations.
FASHION
Holiday Upcycling: The Ugly Christmas Sweater
HOME & GARDEN
My Boho Living Space
LIFESTYLE
Family Art Therapy
Can crafting help seniors stave off dementia?
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REQUEST FOR FEEDBACK
Many hands make light work.
I’m just getting started. If you are like minded and have thoughts, ideas, images (anything really) that you’d like to contribute or if you’d like to collaborate on a project. Send me an email Sonya@remnantsygc.com.
ART
ART MENU
Editorial: Art & Politics
Sonya Barbee
In Response to “on #art, A Few Questions…”
I recently read a post by JaZzArt en València that asked five thought-provoking questions about art and politics.
Does art mix with politics?
In my opinion, art naturally mixes with politics. It seems to have been that way since people started documenting their lives. Politics have been the subject of songs, poems, paintings and more. Artists create flags and anthems that express the political views of governments, and the victor’s version of wars.
Even a simple painting of a woman performing mundane household chores tells the story of that woman’s place in her society at that specific time.
Should artists get involved with politics?
As a creative person, I would say that an artist can’t avoid being involved with politics, even when they don’t want to. Their artistic expression speaks to something within them. I can’t think of an instance when that expression was not political in some way.
I have been creative my entire life. I’ve worked in several mediums. Yet there are many times that I struggle to classify myself as an artist. That struggle is actually political. It’s rooted in class and race.
The work I create is political. Sometimes it’s the subject matter, other times it’s the materials I use. I’ve had to work with inexpensive materials because of my economic situation. The views I express are from the perspective of my place in American society at this time in history. Even that view is based on the politics of my region in the country and my age. It’s all political.
I have some questions for all who wish to reply… I look forward to your opinions, and please, always remember that the only thing we proffer is …
#art, A Few Questions…
Can art, (not that which is made for political propaganda) influence others politically or socially?
Yes. Exposure to different ideas and perspectives can influence others politically and socially. That influence can be positive or negative. This influence can be commonly seen when you watch someone take in a dramatic performance or when listening to music.
A person can be exposed to art that makes them speak to someone that they normally would ignore or volunteer with an organization that does nothing for them personally.
Of course this can work in the opposite way as well. The art of rap has been blamed for generations for increases in crime. That argument itself is political.
If you thought that artists should not get involved with politics, can you tell me who should?
I cannot comment on this because it was not my view, but I’m interested to read how others respond to this question.
If you thought that art does not mix with politics, can you tell me what does mix with politics and what mixes with art?
My response echos my previous one.
I don’t know the artist behind JaZzArt en València or the motivation behind the questions, but I do like to have something that sparks my brain and these questions did that. They also made me consider how I choose to work as an artist. I think I will ask myself these questions sometimes when I’m struggling with a creative block.
As far as propaganda that’s another can of worms that I will not open. It could be argued that all art is propaganda. Maybe that will be part of the next inquiry.
Photography
If you take the time to look there is beauty all around you. A transitional time, like the new year is the best time to take stock. Think back on the beautiful experiences of 2023 and remember to pause to look around and be grateful in 2024.
Holiday Upcycling: The Ugly Christmas Sweater
What’s the difference between a trend and a tradition? Trends come and go while traditions are forever. Unfortunately some trends become tradition. Of course, I’m referring to the Ugly Christmas Sweater. I am not a fan. There was a point in time when I considered participating in ugly sweater contests to be fun but that was before it became so popular that stores began selling the once a year wear for ridiculous amounts of my hard earned money. Even the thrift stores have started selling ugly Christmas sweaters for way too much.
I propose returning to the roots of the ugly sweater when people made their own. This year a friend gave me her old ugly sweater because she was buying a new one (This is exactly my gripe!) The sweater didn’t fit comfortably so I decided to get a two for one out of the item. I took the sleeves and made a pair of mittens.
I used my son’s old shirt to alter the sweater to fit and give it the one of a kind flair that every Ugly Christmas Sweater needs. The result was a little comedy, mixed with the traditional Christmas sweater motifs, mixed with another traditional winter aesthetic – plaid. I didn’t enter a contest with it the year so I’m safe to wear it again next year. Unless I can further upcycle it more. I have a whole year to figure it out.
My Boho Living Space
During 2020 my mother had an unexpected medical emergency and had to recuperate at my home. At the time she could not walk up stairs and would be limited to one floor of my home. My small home has a tiny living room. I’ve never had an entire suite of furniture. It’s not really my style but it also wouldn’t fit. I had a well worn Ikea sofa and ottoman that opened up into a guest bed, and a sturdy red chair that I got from my grandmothers house after she passed. My mom coming to recuperate at my home meant I had to move a bed into the living room.
I moved the ottoman to my basement office and moved the red chair into the guest room upstairs. That’s what I called my son’s room since he was in college at the time. The twin bed served it’s purpose and my mother recuperated. During that time the sofa expired and I started looking for new options. We were in the apex of the pandemic and I was not going to exposing myself to strangers. I was also being extra frugal because I was worried about possible financial insecurities. Therefore, I was in no rush to make a large purchase. I decided to keep the bed in the living room. It wasn’t a big deal because I wasn’t having visitors. After some time, I quite enjoyed having a bed in the living room. I don’t have a television in my bedroom so I was able to fully veg out in the living room. I would nap and watch movies in between. The proximity of the kitchen was an additional perk. Yoga had been pushed back into the deep recesses of my brain.
After things started to relax and I got the occasional visitor, the bed started to look tacky in the living room. I love a throw blanket but the bed really looked unkempt when people would stop by. It’s also the first thing you see when the door opens. So was it time to get a sofa? Nope. I believe that I don’t have to give up comfort for style. It’s true for clothing and it’s true for the home. I decided to make a cover for the bed.
I mentioned in previous post that I’d started sewing in 2020. Fabric quickly became a new obsession for me. I already loved Indian fabrics and would grab any sari that I ran across at thrift stores or festivals. In 2020 I fell in love with kantha blankets.
Kantha is an embroidery craft done in some parts of India, particularly Bangladesh. My kantha blankets are double-sided, lightweight quilts. They are patched together from old cotton sari’s and have a the kantha stitching running the length of the blanket. Initially I thought I would be able to open the blankets to display both sides of the blankets but the stitches are literally holding all the pieces together. Once I got my hands on the blankets I could see that all the stitching was done by hand and there was no way I would dishonor the craftsmanship put into the process of making these beautiful blankets. There were places where the fabric had already worn thin and there was a new patch over that area. This made me love each blanket even more. When I have areas that become too worn I will also continue to hand stitch a patch on them. If you’d like to find out more about kantha blankets The Hindu has a nice article with some history. These already upcycled blankets would be further upcycled into my new covers.The finished product was beautiful and unique. Every single blanket has a different design on both sides. When I look at my home I’m reminded of the beauty that come from resourcefulness.
Sustainable practices give you every opportunity to be a unique individual. When you embrace being unique in your style you also have the courage to think as an individual. I believe if we let go of pretenses and respect ourselves and others as individuals we can heal many of the problems of the world.
Family Art Therapy
As we get older it’s inevitable that most of us will begin to encounter some form of memory loss. Some will experience something worse – dementia. The Mayo Clinic says, “”dementia” is an umbrella term used to describe a set of symptoms, including impairment in memory, reasoning, judgment, language and other thinking skills.” By the age of 65, 1 in 10 people will exhibit symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease – a type a dementia in which symptoms can become so severe that it interferes with daily tasks.
I’ve recently noticed my mother has been starting to exhibit some form of memory loss so as a creative person I’ve been interested in using art to combat it. Art therapy is a great way to combat memory loss. It increases brain stimulation and can help with every day functions by improving mobility issues. Seniors with limitations can use art as a form of communication, as well as a mood enhancer. It has been proven that learning a new skill can help with memory loss.
I have been encouraging my mother to embrace art and to take on some crafting projects. She claims to not have had any previous art skills and minimum experience. She worked several jobs simultaneously most of her life so she didn’t have the time to explore or take part in art fully. Because she maintained such a hectic schedule she struggles with the patience and relaxation that comes with creating art. With all this said, when the does let go and get creative she flourishes.
This holiday season I was determined not to spend money on unnecessary things and to take the time to create things for the people in my family. I encouraged my mom to help with his endeavor. Together we created Christmas decorations for the house.
We used an old Halloween costume that I made for her years ago (she was a frog) to create wreaths and scrap fabric to make garland and a cardboard bell. We ripped up fabric to make strips for her wreath and as she began to work I could see her getting excited about her results. She was very focused. she had moments where she would excitedly go around the house to find additional items to use on her projects.
In the past we have had Girls Night Out for Paint and Sip. My mom has also enjoyed ceramic painting and the local senior center. These family activities are fun and can include as many other family members as you want. It’s a great way to bond as well as de-stress. Although I can only hope these activities will help with memory loss, we made great memories that I’ll never forget.
If you have concerns about dementia and want more information the Mayo Clinic is a great resource.
Request for Feedback
Thank you for reading the first issue of Remnants Magazine. Please provide feedback so that I can make improvements as I continue to develop it.
Do you have helpful, not hurtful, comments or ideas? Share them with me.
Thanks
Sonya@remnantsygc.com
Remnants Magazine 