a practical quiz from Dave the Rave

Well what an existential 'pickle' we find ourselves in on the eve of the Brexit vote, while the US govt remains shut and trees that should be sleeping are budding in sync with some other clock… Dave the Rave has captured all this in collage. A postcard ceases being a postcard when it is cut into organic shapes and reconfigured to make 'mincemeat' of titles and descriptions, missing male and female parts.  I can't piece it together.

Patrick and I were trying to recall Euclid yesterday.  Now Dave has me trying to name these shapes he's created. It makes me wonder what the point of it all is. Existentially speaking it's a puzzle that doesn't fit.

Herman Kamphuis portraits: dancers, readers, thinkers, dreamers and beauties

(Envelope inside of envelope)

(Other side of envelope)

I love Herman's light touch political vispo.  He is mark making with skin colour, comparing legs to scarves, juxtaposing characters in ways that make me think, consider and conclude how natural it is to understand equality! after looking at Herman's collage, it becomes obvious to understand how essential variety is in creating a well balanced and satisfying whole. Herman makes me think, smile, and delight in his aesthetic collection and collage.

5 x 8 ink on paper

5 x 8 ink on paper

A month or two ago I made a collab boekie with drawings begun by Herman and added to by me and Carina Granlund.  Carina wrote a story around the imagery and when I got it back I hand coloured it digitally. I hope I sent one to Herman… if I didn't I need to!

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Herman gathers paper for his collage from markets.  He refashions them in ways that give them stories and a new identity. Every aspect of Herman's stuffed envelopes are thoughtfully composed.

back of above

'The Dreamer, not a self portrait, but could easily be'

I am always so happy to get mail from Herman and like most of my correspondents I have never met him.  So when he tells me that this isn't a self portrait but that it could be, I begin to imagine him in more detail.  For me, the mail seeds my imagination and enlarges my connectedness, real or perceived.