Songbird Artistry is honored to present Truth Be Told: An Artful Gathering of Women, a powerful show featuring 14 female polymer clay artists, seven of whom identify as Black and seven of whom identify as White. Debbie Maier Jacknin, the mom behind Songbird Artistry, is proud to be one of the members of The Gathering. This exhibit showcases their collective works and will be on display from June 24 - August 13, 2022.
The Gathering was born out of an interview between prominent polymer clay artists Cynthia Tinapple and Debbie Jackson. During this interview, they discussed the issue of racism in America, which came to a head following the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent unrest of 2020. Recognizing that this should be an ongoing dialogue rather than a one-time discussion, they invited other members of the polymer clay community to join the conversation. They gathered over Zoom twice a month. The dialogues were eye-opening, challenging, sometimes painful, often uncomfortable, and frequently sprinkled with laughter—and yes, sometimes tears. While they haven’t solved everything or changed the world, they’ve made connections with each other around a topic that is difficult to discuss. And that feels important. It IS important. Change begins within, one person at a time.
But the question became: what to do with these conversations?
Kathleen Dustin, one of the women in the group, was on the board of an art gallery in New Hampshire. She suggested they do a collaborative art exhibit. They agreed that the show would be called Truth Be Told. Each woman would pick a word inspired by their conversations, and create a piece of art on a 10x10 tile, incorporating the word. While all of the artists were polymer clay artists, they didn’t limit themselves to that medium, though it is included in all the tiles. Some of the words chosen include “listen,” “repair,” “consciousness,” “truth,” and “love.”
The word Debbie chose is “legacy,” and she has translated the concept of legacy into her piece for the show. Legacy represents how life is tough, and we are often faced with hard choices and decisions. How do we handle those? How do we want to be remembered?
When Debbie thinks of her legacy, it has many layers, including one that relates to racism. When she dies, if someone looked back on her life, would they say she was a racist? A bystander? Would they say she did something? But the word means so much more to her. She has a granddaughter; what kind of world are we leaving for her and her generation?
In addition to the collaborative word series, Debbie Maier Jacknin will also be displaying four works she has created as part of a collection called She Persists. The final piece in the series, Eye Persist, was completed shortly before leaving for New Hampshire.
In a world where many tend to focus on themselves, their religion, and their beliefs, Debbie wonders: would we see the world differently if we took a step back and focused on what we have in common? And if we did, would we treat each other differently?
Eye Persist is a stained-glass mosaic featuring a Hamsa, also known as the Hand of Miriam, Hand of God, or Fatima Hand. This symbol is believed to offer protection, bringing its owner happiness, luck, and good fortune. It is widely regarded as an amulet or talisman, used across cultures and religions around the world to guard against evil forces.
In the center of the Hamsa is a heart, a universal symbol of love. The heart is also embedded inside each of us and can represent self-love, love of others, love of animals, and love for Mother Earth. Debbie poured her heart into creating this piece.
The Tree of Life is also a universal symbol found in many religions, mythology, and folklore, often connecting the physical and spiritual worlds. Inside the Hamsa, there are two cherry trees symbolizing the love between Debbie and her late husband, Larry Jacknin. The trees are individual, yet touch each other, just as his life touched hers. The trees have roots, symbolizing their children and grandchildren.
The butterfly represents Debbie’s ancestors. Her grandmother, who always loved butterflies, gave her a hand-painted lamp and green wine glasses, which later broke. Debbie saved some of the glass and incorporated bits of the green glass into the Tree of Life. The lessons her grandmother and others taught her live deep within her soul. The yellow raised butterflies are made from pieces saved from the broken lamp. No doubt, what may seem broken can still be meaningful and beautiful.
Debbie is the hummingbird. Now on her own, she has found her wings and flies freely.
Update: After the exhibit’s run in New Hampshire, it traveled to Pittsburgh and was on display at Songbird Artistry. After its run there, the show moved to Columbus. Following its time in Columbus, a few of the pieces were returned to the artists, and the following works are now on display at Songbird Artistry: Legacy, Bravery, Truth, Hope, Love, Despair, Repair, and Security. Stop by to see these powerful works in person!
All pieces shown here can be printed on shirts, bibs, and onesies. More info here.
Frames by Bobby of B.Z Wood Craft
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