Project Spaces Season 2022-2023

Jill Watts: From My Yard

by |Published

/FROM MY YARD

Jill Watts

Project Spaces

September 8 - October 9, 2022


/STATEMENT

Some time ago, I began a series of photos attempting to capture the life in my neighborhood visible from my house and yard. This was a Godsend during the pandemic. What was often missing was the sense of movement and change that occurred as I watched. The photos were interesting as a documentary of the positive events in my area but remained static. I began using them as a basis for further exploration, attempting to capture the nuances of these events.

I resorted to multiple images of a single scene with some areas collaged or drawn with crayon. All are on Ampersand bases and include actual photos, crayon drawing, and some, even other materials affixed with Yes paste or Elmer's glue.

Since I would give copies of the photos to those in them whenever possible, I was delighted to be asked to photograph the wedding of my neighbor which took place outside and in the driveway of their house. Technically, this was done in her yard and not from mine.

/ABOUT THE ARTIST

Jill Watts

I learn about the world through art making. Visual art and social consciousness have remained intertwined in my life. My major influences include: my mother, who truly allowed anything to further the creation of visual arts growing up; Ms. Heywood, my junior high school art teacher who allowed me to load and fire the kiln on my lunch break; Mr. Levinson, my high school art teacher who taught me what I realized later was most of what was offered in my first year of art school; Martin Carey, a Worcester Art Museum School instructor who was involved in performance happenings. 

After watching a happening at Clark University, I participated in a discussion to process and evaluate what the performance. Later, much of my organizing of Welfare Rights Actions was based on my understanding of happenings. By art school, I realized that I enjoyed working collaboratively and later connected this with the historical way that women, over time, have created artwork. Later, the basis of my Master’s Thesis from Goddard College’s External Degree Program was to devise alternative methods of teaching art to women which featured collective creation. 

I was born in Worcester and only left for brief periods, first on a Frances A. Kinnicutt Fellowship from Worcester Art Museum to Spain and Morocco, then to Russia on a Clark University Independent Study, and eventually with friends made through my Master’s Degree project and last, as a Peace Corps volunteer assigned to create and implement a visual arts program for grades K-6 in Piaye St Lucia.

Over the years, through many diverse organizations such as Piedmont Center for the Arts, Grove Street Gallery, the Gallery of Atwood Allaire, ArtsWorcester, Worcester Center for Crafts, the Sprinkler Factory Gallery, and Worcester Cultural Council which provided me with a grant, I found that while Worcester never did become “The Paris of the ‘80’s,” it had a strong and vibrant arts community that I continue to be a part of and to which I attempt to contribute something of value. The older I get, the richer the fabric of my life becomes. 

jillwattsart.wordpress.com

/EXHIBITED WORKS

Wedding 3

mixed media: photomontage, single use plastic, cloth, crayon, Elmer’s glue, Yes paste, Ampersand claybord

16″ x 20″

2022

I was interested in creating a color atmosphere that would allow the textures of the “castle” to be accented and was lucky enough to find the material to recycle.




Party with Silly String

mixed media: photomontage, crayon, Yes paste, Ampersand claybord

8″ x 10″

2021




Team Celebrates the 4th

mixed media: photomontage, crayon, collage, Yes paste, Ampersand claybord

11″ x 14″

2021




I Am Not A Robot

mixed media: photomontage, crayon, Yes paste, Ampersand claybord

16″ x 20″

2021

I was struck with the fact that the owner of the house next to mine blended into the machinery he was using while fixing areas of the exterior of the building.




Pig Roast

mixed media: photomontage, crayon, Yes paste, Ampersand claybord

8″ X 10″

2021

I was amazed that my neighbors could arrange everything for a pig roast in an area that was 1/2 the size of my living room, have a party, and have everything returned to the way it was by morning.




Roofers

mixed media: photomontage, crayon, tracing paper, Yes paste, Ampersand claybord

11″ x 14″

2022

Whenever I view the finished building, I somehow envision the ghosts of the roofers whose work made it possible still present.




Jump

mixed media: photomontage, collage, found materials, crayon, Yes paste, Ampersand claybord

9 ” x 12 “

2021

At every party and on multiple other occasions, this family arranges a children’s play area where multiple ages and sizes can play safely together (at 1 point, even including their dog).




Birthday Party 2 B

mixed media: photomontage, crayon, collage, Yes paste, Ampersand claybord

16″ x 20″

2022

Whenever I have photographed people, I have given them a copy of the images when possible. Over time, some have requested that I photograph them and/or posed for the camera. The ultimate in trust was when this woman requested that I photograph her wedding that was to take place in their yard in 2 weeks. I gratefully accepted although I would be shooting images in their yard.




Wedding 1

mixed media: photomontage, crayon, Yes paste, Ampersand claybord

10″ x 10″

2022

The vows.




Wedding 2

mixed media: photomontage, crayon, Yes paste, ampersand claybord

16″ x 20″

2022

The youngest members of the wedding party were treated with understanding and compassion. The smallest was allowed to wear a roll of duct tape around her wrist instead of carrying her flowers preferring the former and wear her sweatshirt when cold.




Birthday Party

mixed media: crayon, photomontage, Yes paste, on Ampersand claybord

11″ x 14″

2022

An enormous family gathering to celebrate the 2 year old’s birthday which included his 12 children and multiple relatives from different generations. The older children and dog know how to celebrate, their movements being the most exciting aspect of the scene. The birthday girl simply looks on seemingly not knowing what to make of the action. The family has since moved.




Thinking, Planning

mixed media: crayon, photomontage, tracing paper, Yes paste, Ampersand claybord

8″ x 10″

2022

This woman comes by at regular intervals to collect cans (no glass although recyclable; she knows her limitations) and has no trouble walking straight enough to naturally carry what she collects on her head despite her age.




The Game

mixed media: crayon, photomontage, tracing paper, Yes paste, Ampersand claybord

9″ x 12″

2021

Life goes on outside in my neighborhood more than in some others. We know each others’ comings and goings and even some habits. Although strangers from various disparate locations, I like to think we learn from and respect each other. I feel far more connected here than in the suburban neighborhood where I lived for a time.




On the Phone

mixed media: crayon, photomontage, tracing paper, Yes paste, Ampersand claybord

8″ x 10″

2022

Those younger than I seem to have a peculiar preoccupation with phones often ignoring what is happening in front of them.




Never miss an exhibition or event.

Get updates when you sign up for ArtsWorcester emails.