Lehna Huie
During my time at Elsewhere, I did a lot of self reflection aimed at finding more balance between life as an artist, mother, art educator and advisor.
It gave me a lot of space to consider the merging between worlds - connecting my body, mind, spirit. It reminded me of the healing energy of tapping into a curiosity of nature's wonders in providing nourishment into every area of our lives. It helped me to consider how each of these components coexist to make up my life’s work.
In the studio, I expanded my ink drawings and fibers based works for a series titled Wood and Water, which stems from a collection of family interviews. It gathers clusters of accumulated disparate materials representing home and my ancestral geographies.
I also experimented with images for my photographic montage and collage based series titled I Have Never Felt Sorrow Without Reason, an autobiographical project, derived from my family archive that explores intimacy and interiority within the stories that map our Jamaican heritage. I am thankful to Elsewhere for providing access to beautiful spirits, landscapes, community and space to stretch, learn and grow in. Thanks for a wonderful opportunity to experience Paonia!