this tiny world

Hello, sweet friends!

Perhaps you know of Hannah Waldron?  She is a wonderful UK-based artist with many collections of work, all of them worth spending lots of time with.  But my very favorite is her "This Tiny World" collection. 

Here's a sampling:

 

 

(Actually, that's the majority of the collection, but I couldn't help myself.  It's much too hard to choose a couple of favorites, so I just brought a bunch!)

Anyway, more great stuff:  here's what Hannah says about these wonderful pieces, and the inspiration behind them:

"A project exploring the tiny worlds we create for ourselves in our homes. Microcosmic kingdoms are created in our living spaces across the world, with the idea of having a space where you are free to reign over it. But what of those who do not see 'Home' as one space, for example those who do not yet have their own home to curate, or people with transient lives who do not ever stay in one place, people without homes etc... What constitutes home for them? Why is home so important? I have used my own ideas and values of Home to offer playful, wishful solutions to those outside of the norm, creating one version of A Tiny World, in a bid to somehow naively get a grasp on This Giant World.

"A series of lifesize gouache paintings were made of objects of desire according to my own ideals and ideas of what makes a home a home, also based on my memories, experiences and research of other peoples ideas and ideals (bold-face type added by me)."

***

I've been thinking about these things myself, lately.  Mostly because, if things continue as they are for our family, we may have to sell our house.  (And go where?  I don't know.)  This is very hard for me, as it has been for many families in our country.  It's not easy for anyone, ever.  But, in many ways, I feel as though I AM my home, that it is such an expression of myself and my family, and it would be almost like losing a part of myself.  Then I realized that our house is a building that holds our things, but our home is who we are, and what we share, and the love that grows within these walls.  Hannah's work helps me to visualize this, and I'm so grateful for that.

Please check her site, for many more wonderful images!

Thanks for all your lovely words about my last post.  I am so grateful.

xoxox. 

Comments

[kris]

I completely agree. It's like the old saying...home is where the heart is. Your family is home.

On a side note...one of Hannah's drawings is a little village. It looks exactly like a tiny wooden toy village my neighbor had and I have been searching for it for my boys. How ironic!

[Deb]

Funny, I saw Hannah's work recently and almost posted it on Tumblr. Your post reminded me of Sandra's thoughts today
http://herzensart.blogspot.com/2010/03/home-where-and-what-are-you.html

Courage!

[Paravent]

I love her work too... couldn't agree more :) K

[The Hausfrau]

Delightful work! I'll be checking out her site...

[erika]

These are sooo nice, love them!

[Olwin Kelly]

Hi Amy,
I have been following your blog with delight for several months now.You truly bring me joy in my day and it distresses me to see you struggling as you are at the moment. Struggles are an essential part of life and I believe you will learn and grow from yours.

But,can I be so bold as to suggest that you consider taking on some sponsors- ones whose philosophies are similar to your own? Most readers of your blog would not be offended by descrete advertising in keeping with your own aesthetic and perhaps the revenue could help to save your home.

Kind regards,
O