Grandmother's Circle: A Tribute

 An Installation by Alpha Bruton

• November 9 - December 15, eGallery

 http://www.dennews.com/the_verge/artist-alpha-bruton-takes-inspiration-from-native-american-heritage-in/article_edd22b62-4820-11e3-8a68-0019bb30f31a.html#user-comment-area

Alpha Bruton’s installation is a simulation of a ceremonial purification circle, in which objects and images are selected to “serve as cultural mirrors and the sites in which they are situated serve as part of a broader cultural commentary.” 

 

                        Passing of the Flames, Fire Pit         Altar

 

 

 The artist has examined cultural signs and symbols and their use or interpretation. She believes that objects in the public sphere serve to communicate and reinforce certain cultural narratives, hierarchies, and social mythologies. A painter and an installation artist, Bruton synthesizes aspects of theater, sculpture, and other two-dimensional forms. 



 Crecy Ivory Burks &  Sallie Alpha Betta  Bruton

 

 

 

Video's installation six women share memories about their grandmother's: Diana Bruton, Antoinette Bruton, Christine Burks Allum  Toni Collie Perry, Talver Germany Miller, Anita Posey Lowe,  and other guest will be invited to add their memories through December 13th, 2013.

 



Vertical Mural by Talver Germany, and Triangle Spirit Flags Alpha Bruton

 

 Spirit flags West: Talver Germany Miller, Caryl Henry Alexander, Alpha Bruton- Spin

Fabric installation by Garrett- Goben

Spirit Flags East: LA Happy Hyder, Talver Germany Miller, Alpha Bruton- Fabric installation Garrett

 Banners  Freestone County Texas & Fannie County Texas, ceramic stars- Anita Posey LoweFabric installation Garrett

 Beginning of the altar, poles installation assisted by Sean Fairchild

 

Tissue paper, wrapping paper, brown paper bags, on cardboard tubes, repurpose Styrofoam boards

 

Altar: foundation- found object cardboard tubes, cowhide leather, photocopy images, oriental fans, rose pebbles, cloth, rosemary, sage, lavender, glass, yarn, plastic flowers, clothes pins, string, reeds, tape, ceramic slabs, bottles, water,

 

Four Directions- Mandela around the fire pit, constructed from colored  leather, installation assistant by Sean Fairchild Master in Ceramic 3D art, found objects, recycle repurposed clay pots, sculpture, clay, slip, mulch, cylinder blocks, burlap, cloth, mulch, bees wax, rebar, foam board led candles. Spirit Rods: Stan Padilla

 

Water Element: Buddhist Hand fountain, shells, glass, fishing line, batik, stain glass paper, Zen tray, wall tapestry

Glass was donated by Amy teacher from Humboth School, glass installation by Josh and

 

Bruton is the Tarble Arts Center’s 2013 Arts-In-Education artist-in-residence, and will be in residence at four area schools November 11 through December 13.  The residency is funded by the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, by participating schools, the Coles County Arts Council, and Tarble membership contributions.

Residency-related community activities will consist of core group classes, Bruton’s installation

in the Tarble’s Brainard Gallery, the Teacher In-Service, and a closing reception to showcase the students’ works produced through the residency. All of these activities will take place at the Tarble. Activities will be promoted through area newspapers, E-promos, exhibition announcement cards, the Tarble’s website and Facebook page.

The Tarble serves as the site where the majority of residency activities will take place. The

Tarble maintains a classroom that will be used for core group meetings and gallery space in

which the artist’s work will be on view during the residency. Additional sites are Jefferson

Elementary School, Charleston; the Pathways Program, Mattoon; the Treatment and Learning Center, Humboldt; and Windsor Jr.-Sr. High School.

Artist Alpha Bruton takes inspiration from Native American heritage in environmental installation - The Daily Eastern News: The Verge

Artist Alpha Bruton takes inspiration from Native American heritage in environmental installation - The Daily Eastern News: The Verge

"Art is Business"

The Ceremonial Circle Blessing "THE PASSING OF THE FLAMES"

 The Tarble Art Center is a wonderful location to find my true center. I began my personal journey in linking fragments of the past, connecting sketchy memories of the two women that have shaped my path, and are propelling me on to the next plateau of my artistic explorations. Sallie Alpha Betta, mother of Thomas Bruton my father,  and Crecy Ivory mother of Lois Lorraine my mother.

 On the property of Anita P. Lowe Auburn CA-

The question is how to reconstruct this outdoor installation, into an indoor gallery?

Construction – The purification ceremonies are generally built with great care, and with respect for the environment and for the materials being used. Many traditions construct the purification ceremonies in complete silence, some have a drum playing while they build, and other traditions have the builders fast during construction.

Artist Assistant, Master’s candidate Shawn Fairchild, contributed misfired ceramics from his studio, to repurpose in the creation of the “passing of the flames”.

Placement and orientation of the structure within its environment are often considered to facilitate the ceremony's connection with the spirit world, as well as practical considerations of usage. We began building by finding the center of the gallery, 9’ 4 ½ ‘ from the wall.

Rituals and traditions associated with sweating vary regionally and culturally. Ceremonies often include traditional prayers and songs. In some cultures drumming and offerings to the spirit world may be part of the ceremony, or a sweat ceremony may be a part of another, longer ceremony.   wanted an atmosphere of Zen, during the construction, students needed to feel, and play, with the paper, clay, slip, cracked pots, fabric.

 Undergraduate- Garrett Goben- Studio Drawing

Orientation – The door may face a sacred fire. The cardinal directions may have symbolism in the culture that is holding the purification ceremonies. The structure may be oriented within its environment for a specific purpose. 

The purpose here is to recreate the "THE PASSING OF THE FLAMES".

To transfer or bestow one's role, position, responsibilities, etc., to someone else. 

My grandmother is unable to stand long enough to cook such a large meal, so she's passing the torch to us to make Thanksgiving dinner this year.

Artist Assistant, Master’s candidate Shawn Fairchild
Undergraduate- Garrett Goben- Studio Drawing
Stephanie Aarons (music major)