The Ties That Bind

Collaboration

by Sarah Boardman and Beverley Youngman

Finished!  

The final stitches were put onto my piece today and Bev and I placed our individual pieces together.  How exciting and what a joy to see them united for the first time!

Bev had set the ball rolling with an initial idea.  I read the email and wondered how on earth I would fit in with Bev as it seemed so far from my own style. However, I was wrong in thinking this way as I soon discovered during our discussions.  As we listened and considered each other’s stories , the idea evolved, adjusted to fit us both. We chose to each make a piece that we could display together.

I went for a walk in the countryside around my home and Bev explored the more urban areas around hers.  We both found objects;  Bev collected some interesting man-made bits and pieces and I carried home an ivy branch broken in the recent winds.  From these findings ideas emerged about life experiences that we both shared.  Similar but different just as the branch and man-made objects are different.    We went our separate ways and began creating.  Further discussion happened along the way until today.  Now it’s complete and tells of motherhood, nurturing, grieving and releasing.  

It’s been a valuable experience.  I’ve come to know Bev a little more and seen again that we all have a story to tell – and that art is a great way to tell it.