Memoria: Memories, Navigation, and Reclaiming Control of the Narrative
February 28, 2022 - April 12, 2022
Creative Greensboro (G.R.O.W)
Greensboro, nc
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Memoria was a project focused on releasing the metaphorical and literal baggage I use to carry in the form of mixed media artworks. These pieces are comprised of found objects, paper mache, illustrations, and tons of memories.
Initially, the collection of these items was a response to the artist: Jordan T. Robinson’s response to the trauma he acquired witnessing one of his grandparent’s fight with dementia. At a young age, he though if he collected items from moments in his life, he could possibly keep the memories of his life as he lived on. Most of the momentous have served their purpose and instead of throwing them away in a landfill, Robinson aimed to turn them into something else and live on as art in different spaces.
“Much of this body of work is about my releasing of these objects, which I tied so much of my mind and heart to. I hope that by releasing these, my spirit can find more rest knowing I have lived a life it was full regardless if I can remember or not.
The fascinating part of this project was not only the therapy of letting this all go but I also feel as though I reclaimed a part of my identity, a part of myself, and took back control of my narrative to some degree. I continue this body of work in some form as my general practice as an artist”
-Jordan T. Robinson-
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People
Alicia Collins
Alyzza May
Lara Americo
Sam Peterson
CC
All Volunteers
Organizations
Queer Mobilization Fund (Transparency)
Greenhill
African American Atelier
Guilford Native American Association
Center for Visual Artists
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Creative Greensboro
Title: “Shrine of Adventure”
Medium: Found Objects, Wire Hangers, Necklaces
Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 4ft x 18in x 18in
Year Completed: April 1, 2022
Installation Notes: The Fishing wire at the top is adjustable. It is for hanging the work directly from the ceiling. At the end of the wire, should be a ring to clip to extensions if the wire is not long enough. The hat part should be about 6ft from the ground.
Artist Notes: The Shrine is dedicated to the adventures and stories that come from relationships. Oftentimes, I attract attention by simply existing in the expressions I like. The hat is Shepard’s hat from the Congo area and was often worn by me in the summers and hot weather to keep from the sun. Even when I wanted my own space, folks would want to come to me and ask about the hat. Despite the annoyance, it was nice to start a conversation that led to friendships I appreciate to this day.
Title: “Shrine of Impressions”
Medium: (Installation) Found Objects, Impactful Memories, Personal Scars, Tenacious Dreams
Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 8ft x 4ft x 8ft
Year Completed: April 1, 2022
Installation Notes: A chair should be facing the shrine with the bookbag by it. The notebooks in the bag should be either in the bag or on the chair for people to notice and encouraged to write in. The shrine is not really to be touch unless if the participant has a memento or artifact to contribute to the Shrine.
Artist Notes: This shrine, within the temple of memory, is dedicated to first impressions. The artifacts are impressions that influenced me in some shape or form in my life growing up. The James K. Polk book is where I did my Eagle Scout project and I later found out of his involvement in the western expansion, thus feeling conflicted doing a “good thing” for someone you have an issue with. The dream catcher was a gift from Mom that consoled me as I suffered from frequent night terrors. The Winged Gundam action figure was my favorite toy from Dad, who insisted I get that one because the action figure I really wanted, Death Scythe, looked too demonic. I grew to love the winged Gundam and played with it in a “guardian angel” role in most of my imagination.
Title: “Shrine of Community”
Medium: Wooden Cubbies, Glue Gun Glue, Mementos of people in the Greensboro Community
Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 30in x 30in x20in
Year Completed: April 2022
Installation Notes: Permanently installed at the Penn-Griffin School of the Arts
Artist Notes: The shrine is an opportunity for members of the community to participate in this process of turning artifacts into living stories. Folks came together and interacted with the wooden cubbies while also leaving a memento of their own.
Title: “Sacred Objects: Accomplishments”
Medium: Found Objects, Human Hair
Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 8in x 10in x 6in
Year Completed: April 1, 2022
Installation Notes: Hang on nail.
Artist Notes: Referencing the African spirituality around hair, I encased objects I deemed “Sacred” from my life. Sanctifying it with my hair, these objects are a symbolic gesture of containing aspects of me that I am most appreciative of. In making these pieces, I wonder “What is it that makes an object ‘Sacred’ to a person?” I often question if I even have anything of worth outside of my bias. I wonder if I have done anything worth while or if my life was an entire waste. Earning my eagle rank in Boys Scouts of America was one of the achievements I am most proud of. To this day, when conducting projects an initiatives to help communities, I refer to my work earning Eagle to provide structure to the project. I sanctified the Eagle Rank as it was the artifact that what I did mattered. That somehow, both within and out of my ego, I mattered.
Title: “Sacred Objects: Liberation”
Medium: Found Objects, Human Hair
Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 8in x 10in x 6in
Year Completed: April 1, 2022
Installation Notes: Hang on nail.
Artist Notes: Referencing the African spirituality around hair, I encased objects I deemed “Sacred” from my life. Sanctifying it with my hair, these objects are a symbolic gesture of containing aspects of me that I am most appreciative of. Within this vessel are objects that are part of me feeling free and autonomous. The PreP pills refer to my sexual freedom and freedom to connect with others in how we consent. The leather cuff and cock ring also are connected to the freedom I found in my sexual adventures. Having my autonomy as a sexually active adult played a critical role in repairing my self- esteem as well as my confidence in general. For that, and for me to build myself worth on my terms is why those objects are sacred.
Title: “Sacred Objects: Friendships”
Medium: Found Objects, Human Hair
Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 8in x 10in x 6in
Year Completed: April 1, 2022
Installation Notes: Hang on nail.
Artist Notes: Referencing the African spirituality around hair, I encased objects I deemed “Sacred” from my life. Sanctifying it with my hair, these objects are a symbolic gesture of containing aspects of me that I am most appreciative of. The objects in this vessel came from a week long workshop with a group of strangers that later became friends. Several of which I stay connected with to this day. I find friendships and relationships to be key in keeping what compassion, empathy, and care for people’s integrity I have left.
Title: “Sacred Objects: Determination”
Medium: Found Objects, Human Hair
Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 8in x 10in x 6in
Year Completed: April 1, 2022
Installation Notes: Hang on nail.
Artist Notes: Referencing the African spirituality around hair, I encased objects I deemed “Sacred” from my life. Sanctifying it with my hair, these objects are a symbolic gesture of containing aspects of me that I am most appreciative of. In this vessel, the blue ant statue resembles my determination to incorporate the Arts in my life and career. Aside from facing regular challenges of starting a career, having one in the Arts had been super discouraging at times. At one point, I lost faith in myself as a n artist to make any artwork that was significant at all. Regardless, I still made art an worked with artists. This determination to fulfill my promise to my 8 year-old self manifested through this object. For that, The statue, the oldest art I have made that still exists, is considered a sacred object to me.
Title: “Paper Halo #2: 2010-2014”
Medium: Paper Memorabilia, Paper Mache, Found Objects
Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 60in x 60in x 1in
Year Completed: April 1, 2022
Installation Notes: Each halo has fishing wire and twine to hang and stabilize it while being suspended from the ceiling.
Artist Notes: The Paper Halo series is a collection of four larch paper mache sculptures structured as a mandala like circle with memories from events, workshops, classes, hangouts, and other moments within a given tie span. Each Halo is a vortex of memories and remnants of what I was thinking, what did I see in myself, while reflecting on what all this says about me as a person. Originally, it was a way to honor all the paper materials I had and to build a device that helped me reflect on myself and others.
Title: “Temple of Reconciliation“
Medium: Mannequin, Found Objects, Sentimental Cars, Clothes, Atonement
Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 6ft x 2ft x 1ft
Year Completed: April 1, 2022
Installation Notes
Artist Notes: Originally, paper mache statues, were replaced by a mannequin for better structure but still carry the memories and spirit of the memorabilia that was used to make this sculpture. The temple is a reference to the narrative of Christ after he prophesized being able to resurrect a temple in three days once the people tore it own. He meant his own body, and I take that reference and do something similar. Each “temple” is dedicated to a major theme that matters to my narrative.
The theme of reconciliation rings prominent in the piece as LGBT Elements cover the scouting Uniform, a symbol of the ideals of scouting, which has been poisoned by homophobia (reflected in its policies) for decades. The striking of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was a step towards reconciling the homophobia that barred scouts from leadership when they aged out or from earning their Eagle rank for “morality” reasons. However, there is so much more work to be done.
Title: “Temple of Memory“
Medium: Mannequin, Found Objects, Sentimental Cars, Clothes, First Impressions
Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 6ft x 2ft x 1ft
Year Completed: April 1, 2022
Installation Notes
Artist Notes: Originally, paper mache statues, were replaced by a mannequin for better structure but still carry the memories and spirit of the memorabilia that was used to make this sculpture. The temple is a reference to the narrative of Christ after he prophesized being able to resurrect a temple in three days once the people tore it own. He meant his own body, and I take that reference and do something similar. Each “temple” is dedicated to a major theme that matters to my narrative.
The theme of “memory” is what this sculpture resembles and is about what we take away from our experience. A prominent takeaway I had growing up was this concern about appearance.
Title: “Temple of Healing“
Medium: Mannequin, Found Objects, Sentimental Cars, Clothes, Liberation
Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 6ft x 2ft x 1ft
Year Completed: April 1, 2022
Installation Notes
Artist Notes: Originally, paper mache statues, were replaced by a mannequin for better structure but still carry the memories and spirit of the memorabilia that was used to make this sculpture. The temple references the narrative of Christ after he prophesized being able to resurrect a temple in three days once the people tore it own. He meant his own body, and I take that reference and do something similar. Each “temple” is dedicated to a major theme that matters to my narrative.
The theme of healing resonates with me as I feel called to heal others with my work as an artist. I also wish I had the same warmth, kindness, and healing that I aim to give to others to the best of my abilities. Intend to love and show compassion in ways that I do not believe I received and think I am doing something meaningful.
Title: “The Temple of Memory: Rishi”
Medium: Paper Mache, Graphite, Acrylic, Paper-Based Memorabilia
Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 30in x 40in x 3in
Year Completed: April 1, 2022
Installation Notes: Hang on a nail.
Artist Notes: This portrait is one of three that are focused on a part of my psyche. This one is dedicated to my Id, which I manifested as this fictional spirit named Rishi. Rishi is associated with my Aries Moon, my instincts, and my base desires and impulses. Much of my desire for wonder, adventure, and joy came from the art I made like the comics that are part of the paper mache, or the pieces of artifacts from Italy or other places I visited from An innate value this spirit represents is my belief in equivalent exchange: Violence for Violence and Kindness for Kindness.
Title: “The Temple of Reconciliation: Elbella”
Medium: Paper Mache, Graphite, Acrylic, Paper-Based Memorabilia
Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 30in x 40in x 3in
Year Completed: April 1, 2022
Installation Notes: Hang on nail.
Artist Notes: This portrait is one of three that are focused on a part of my psyche. This one is dedicated to my Super Ego, which I manifested as this fictional spirit named Elbella. Elbella is associated with my drive for excellence, my desire to be “good” in all I do, and my sense of duty and responsibility. Glued as part of the paper mache along the canvas are document and paper materials of past achievements, or organizations I dedicated so much of myself to. In short, Elbella is my Virgo Rising. This part of my soul regularly pressures me to always make sure I am at my best or giving my best, lest I stop being deserving of grace. An innate value this spirit represents is Excellence: the be the best self in order to deserve the best of everyone and everything else.
Title: “The Temple of Healing: Ochoro”
Medium: Paper Mache, Graphite, Acrylic, Paper-Based Memorabilia
Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 30in x 40in x 3in
Year Completed: April 1, 2022
Installation Notes: Hang on nail.
Artist Notes: This portrait is one of three that are focused on a part of my psyche. This one is dedicated to my Ego, which I manifested as this fictional spirit named Ochoro. Ocho, for short, Resembles the very core of my sense of self: Compassion. I believe the root of my values, character, and attributes are in service to this emotion and to the highest value I have: Caring for people’s integrity no matter who you are. Surrounding the edges are artifacts from people and moments that my heart has been tied to. Of all things, People are the main ingredient to my joy, my pain, my convictions, and to my healing.