Lycia Trouton

Photo Credit LIU XIAO Curator of second Triennial of Fibre Art in 2016, Hangzhou China.
Lycia Danielle Trouton
Born 1967 (1967) (age 51)
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Occupation Canadian Australian Irish artist

Lycia Trouton is a Canadian-Australian-Irish artist (born March 8, 1967) in Belfast and grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Following an early career as an Earth or Land artist, she became a Public Artist with commissions in Seattle, Washington, USA and then rose to international artistic significance (curated by Sarat Maharaj) with her post-conflict, post-colonial artist-as-witness / peace project: The Linen Memorial. Trouton has held visiting lectureships or done presentations at several higher education institutions, including Malmo Art School of Lund University, FLACSO Ecuador, University of Tasmania and Sheridan College, Toronto.

In 1999, after a visit to Northern Ireland, Trouton received a $5,000 research grant from Canada Council of the Arts to begin researching a textile memorial to those killed in The Troubles of Northern Ireland. After several renamings, the piece would be called the Linen Memorial. The Memorial is a list of almost 4,000 of those who died in 'The Troubles' in Northern Ireland from 1966 to 2009 in a chronological Names List, embroidered on Irish Linen handkerchiefs. The Memorial was publicly unveiled in Ireland at a peace and reconciliation centre on the first Private Day of Reflection, 2007, on the sectarian violence. It formed the basis of Trouton's graduate thesis. It was also shown in Canberra's Design Centre, CraftACT, Australia, 2004, and in 2011 in Portneuf, Quebec Canada as a part of Quebec's International Biennale of Flax and Linen (BILP).

Early Life

Dr Lycia Danielle Trouton is a sculptor (who also had youthful aspirations as an actress) and the daughter of an architect and an artist who became a special education teacher. She has an older sister Dr Konia Trouton MD and grew up in the tree-lined Dunbar-Southlands neighbourhood of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.Lycia’s father reportedly named his daughters after the most beautiful cities in the ancient Asia Minor worlds, Lycia in Anatolia . She attended Crofton House School but, while becoming a model student and prefect, privately rebelled as a creative student. At the age of 13, Lycia studied painting, drawing and ceramics at one of the first classes for teenagers at the emerging Arts Umbrella on Granville Island and Speech Arts/Drama with the mother of CBC’s David Wisdom, (Gaye was a former Canadian-British WWII-era repertory theatre actress, Gay (Gladys) Scrivener Wisdom).[1] Trouton later went onto pre-college at Emily Carr University of Art and Design, and Otis-Parsons, early 1980s, one of the major art institutions in Los Angeles, California, USA. She also studied at Carnegie Mellon—where Andy Warhol went to school—and under Sculptor Michael Hall, mid-west USA and with Tapestry Weaver Dr Diana Wood Conroy , Australia (2000s) – both published authors and cultural theorists.

Education

Trouton obtained her BFA in sculpture at Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania, U.S.A in 1988 and then her MFA, at Cranbrook Educational Community School of Art, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, U.S.A in 1991. She moved to Australia in 2001 and completed her doctorate in 2005 at the age of 38 at the University of Wollongong,[2] 2001-5. She teaches, exhibits and curates around the world and currently resides in B.C., Canada or Belfast.

Works

The Linen Memorial

The Linen Memorial,[3] is a touring arts-peace project or socially-engaged public art.

A BBC Radio Foyle interview, by Michael Bradley, explains this art-music piece.

Click link to right:

It is exhibited both internationally and in Ireland/Northern Ireland, such as at Stormont and, for example, across South Down in 2014-15. It was created back in late 1999 by Lycia Danielle Trouton[4] and is made from almost 400 Irish linen handkerchiefs chronologically listing the almost 4000 names (according to the most authoritative Names List by D. McKittrick et al, in the book Lost Lives) those killed during the fraught period in contemporary Northern Ireland, called The Troubles.

The artist conceived of the idea after exhibiting an Earthwork at The Waterworks, Antrim Road, North Belfast, in June 1999. That was her first trip as a working adult back in her home country. Subsequently, Lycia did research into the fabric of linen, at The Linen Museum,[5] Lisburn[6] and also toured a former flax scutching mill in the Irish countryside. Her childhood, before aged 4, was in North Belfast; her maternal grandfather Daniel Ritchie McGladdery held an office in the N. Ireland government (and lived in that neighbourhood from 1945-1980s).

The Memorial was first unveiled on September 7, 2001 in Washington state, USA, as part of an ecumenical project with the names list on printed handkerchiefs and a 'coffin' represented in compressed peat moss (Irish bog oak). The 2002 in Australia showing on The Day of the Dead featured a soundscape by Thomas Fitzgerald (composer) which incorporated Kevin McFadden's Gaelic poetry, with oration by Anthony Stamboulieh,[7] and a performance with choreography by Elizabeth Cameron Dalman, OAM, and her Mirramu Dance Company.[8] In 2004, the printed names on the handkerchiefs were embroidered by volunteers, with more than 200 completed by 2010.

The Linen Memorial was initially exhibited in Northern Ireland at the Corrymeela Community[9][10] Centre for Peace and Reconciliation on June 21, 2007 and 2008, in recognition of the first Day of Private Reflection;[11] both showings included a names reading, and in 2008, persons who so wished could pin a memento or token of remembrance, beside a name on a handkerchief. The Linen Memorial was also exhibited at the Flax and Linen Biennale in Quebec in 2011.[12]

The Design

It is a site-conscious sculpture or an Architectonic Space, where The Names are "The Object".

Trouton, in her 2005 doctorate thesis, states that she researched the VVM by Maya Lin:

That liminal space between the living and the dead is a journey upon which interactive viewers embark momentarily when they enter a commemorative space, as

Landscape Architect Maya Lin reflects upon in the following statement about her design for the mid-1980s Vietnam Veteran’s Wall (VVM):

I always saw the wall as pure surface, an interface between light and dark .... The wall dematerializes as a form [the granite veneer is thin at its top edge] and allows the names tobecome the object, a pure and reflective surface that would allow visitors the chance to see themselves with the names ... a space we cannot enter and from which the names separate us, an interface between the world of the living and the world of the dead. (Lin, 2000, p. 4:14[4], emphasis added)

As a designer, Maya Lin considers the names on The Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, as "the [actual sculptural] object" and the passage the visitor takes alongside the walls of the memorial as akin to entering a "gaping scream" (2000, p. 4:11).

Exhibition History of Linen Memorial

2016 Zhejiang Museum of Art, with Hangzhou Fine Arts Academy, China. An International Fibre Triennale.

2016 Art Gallery of Grande Prairie AGGP Northern Alberta, Canada

2015-18 Heritage Libraries of Libraries NI, Linen Memorial Artwork, N. Ireland: Omagh, Belfast, Londonderry/Derry Central.

June 21, 2015 The Long Gallery at Stormont, N,. Ireland, Parliament Buildings,

  • (all handkerchiefs embroidered by 51 persons). Acoustic guitar music with original song written and performed by Paul J. Miles

2014-15 South Down Tour of The Linen Memorial Artwork, Northern Ireland. Producer: Rowan Hand, formerly a TV/Radio broadcaster with Nationwide and BBC, RTE.

2011 International Biennale of Flax and Linen, Portneuf, Quebec, Canada.

  • Coordinator: Dominique Roy; Historic Archivist: Pierre Gignac. Artist selection board associated with the Montreal Centre for Textiles.

2010 Penghu University Arts Centre, Makung, Taiwan. Curator: Prof. Chin Ming Lee.

June 21, 2008 fully immersive installation at Corrymeela, Ballycastle, N. Ireland with Director Ronnie Millar and Board member Alastaire Kilgore.

  • The second Day of Private Reflection, Host organisation: Corrymeela Community of Peace and Reconciliation, Northern Ireland
  • with a Names Reading; participating embroiderers: 35
  • June 5 - 15th 2008 - The Linen Hall Library partial samples in a glass cases exhibition with presentation by artist to
    • Groves Conference, USA, on Trauma, the Community and the Family
  • June 21, 2007 -
    • The first Day of Private Reflection, Host organisation: Corrymeela Community of Peace and Reconciliation, Ballycastle, Northern Ireland
    • with a Names Reading
    • participating embroiderers: 20.
  • 2006 - Slide Presentation by Dr. Lycia Trouton
  • 2005 - The Irish Linen Memorial exhibition
    • Faculty Gallery, University of Wollongong,[14] Australia
    • Silent viewing along with a personal installation called Make Do and Mend.
    • participating embroiderers: 5.This year Lycia, the artist, began sewing 'freckled spots' of human hair. This aspect has been written about by Textile Theorist Jessica Hemmings,[15] PhD.
  • 2004 - Transformation of Tears: The Irish Linen Memorial
    • Canberra, ACT, Australia
    • Sponsored by The Canadian High Commission[16]
    • Canberra, ACT. opening by Revd. Dr. James Haire (who delivered a brief Ecumenical service and a speech about the history of linen and Irish migration)
    • Original score by Thomas Fitzgerald, sonic-surround.
    • participating embroiderer: Margot Damon (née McGladdery)
    • Original choreography by Elizabeth Cameron Dalman, performance with 2 dancers on the theme of maiden, mother, crone with Mirramu Dance Company.
    • Embroidery by Margot Damon, 25 handkerchiefs, and tatting by Edith Morriot on 3 handkerchiefs, with an attachment of a lock of human hair.
  • 2002 - Horrific Hankies: The Irish Linen Memorial
    • Centre for Canadian-Australian Studies, Australia.[17]
    • Launched by Dr. Gerry Turcotte from Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
    • Original score by Thomas Fitzgerald, Australian composer
    • Original choreography by Elizabeth Cameron Dalman, OAM, choreographer and pioneer modern and contemporary dancer, Australia.
  • 2002 - Unfolding Territories group exhibition
    • Fabric(ation)s of The Postcolonial: Text and Textiles conference
    • Launched by Janis Jefferies, Constance Howard Textiles Research Centre, Goldsmiths College of the University of London, UK.
    • small-scale artwork of 3 handkerchiefs by Lycia Trouton
  • 2001 - Between Two Worlds: The Common Body, The Irish Linen Memorial and an earthwork or land art piece
    • Group Exhibition called Natural Causes, curated by Cheryl Hahn
    • Gallery One, Ellensburg, WA, USA[18]
    • Opening Chanting for the Dead, September 6.
    • Intercultural/Ecumenical service led by Korean Buddhist nun, Chong Do Sunim (formerly Geraldine Finegan).

(UTC)[19] Conflict Archive on the Net (CAIN): Victims: Memorials/Monuments. Funding of website is by The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) UK and Access Research Knowledge ARK Northern Ireland

Artist Exhibition History

Exhibitions: group

2016 Gallery Camille, Detroit, USA

2010 Penghu University Arts Centre, Makung, Taiwan.

2010 University of Tasmania, staff exhibition, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.

2004 Canberra Design Centre, Linen Memorial, Australian Capital Territory.

2003 Australia’s Industry World, Port Kembla, Australia.

2000 Seattle Centre The Millennium Festal, Washington, USA.

1999, 1998 Horsehead International, Seattle, USA and Belfast, N. Ireland.

1999 Gallery One, Natural Causes, Ellensburgh, WA, USA.

1997 Biennale Arts Exposition, the second Art Terre, Quebec, Canada.

1997 Albright College: Timeframes, Reading, PA, USA.

1997 Penn State University: Landmarks, Berks campus, Reading, PA, USA.

1994 Fremont Fine Arts Foundry: Foundry Direct, Seattle, WA, USA.

1993 Stanley Park, Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, B.C.,

1993 University of British Columbia, Maple Ridge, B.C., Canada.

1992 Paint Creek Centre for Arts. Art-as-a-Living-System, Birmingham, MI.

1992 Detroit Artist’s Market. Site, Lines & Planes, Detroit, MI.

1991 Cranbrook Academy of Art, Thesis exhibition, Michigan, USA.

1988 Carnegie Mellon University, Thesis exhibition, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

1988 Carnegie Mellon University, Forbes Gallery curator Sam Gilliam, PA.

Exhibitions: solo

2015-18 Heritage Libraries of Libraries NI, Linen Memorial Artwork, N. Ireland.

2014-15 South Down Tour of my Linen Memorial Artwork, Northern Ireland.

2009 Queens University, Canada Room, Linen Memorial, Belfast, N. Ireland.

2008, 2007 Corrymeela Community, Linen Memorial, Ballycastle, N. Ireland.

2005 University of Wollongong, Thesis exhibition, New South Wales, Australia.

2002 Maple Valley Library with King County Arts Council, Seattle, WA, USA.

1993 Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington, USA.

Collections

The Georges Pompidou Centre, E-Resource Arts Library, Paris, France.

Maple Valley King County Library, WA, USA. Bronze ‘Samara’.

Writing by or about the artist

  • Lace: contemporary textiles : exhibition + new works [20]
  • FibreArts 2007, VOL 34; NUMB 3, pages 44–45 [21]
  • The Linen Memorial: State and Sectarian Violence in Northern Ireland, in Pain and Death: Politics, Aesthetics, Legalities, a Journal of Research School of Humanities, ed. Carolyn Strange. Vol. XIV, No. 2, 2007. ANU Press and e-Press, Canberra, ACT, Australia.[22]
  • TIMEFRAMES 52 page color catalogue essays by Donald Kuspit, Beverly Leviner, Robert Metzger, Christopher Youngs works by Stan Douglas, Peter Fischli and David Weiss, Hamish Fulton, Rebecca Horn, Mark Klett, Eadweard Muybridge, Michael Snow, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Susan Crowder, Lycia Trouton February 14 – April 11, 1997 FG97-A1249-20 [23]

References

  1. ↑ See page 6 of The history of the Vancouver Little Theatre Association by Speech Arts teacher and Vancouver actress, Carol Nesbitt, UBC Master’s Thesis,1992.
  2. ↑ Thesis: An intimate monument: re-narrating 'the troubles' in Northern Ireland
  3. ↑ "The Linen Memorial website". Linenmemorial.org. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  4. ↑ "Lycia Danielle Trouton website". Lyciatrouton.com. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  5. ↑ "The Linen Museum". Discovernorthernireland.com. 2012-11-12. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  6. ↑ "(linen industry". Lisburn. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  7. ↑ Anthony Stamboulieh IMDB
  8. ↑ "Mirramu Dance Company". Mirramu.com. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  9. ↑ Brendan Rice, www.gumpshen.com (2012-10-16). "Corrymeela Community". Corrymeela.org. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  10. ↑ "Reflections of a troubled NI past". BBC News. 2007-06-21. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  11. ↑ "HTR - Day of Private Reflection - Home". Dayofreflection.com. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  12. ↑ Surface Design Journal Editor Patricia Malarcher. "BILP 2011: Honoring Linen Culture Quebecoise | SDA NewsBlog". Surfacedesign.org. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  13. ↑ "Monique Van Nieuwland". Craftact.org.au. 2012-02-21. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  14. ↑ "University of Wollongong". Uow.edu.au. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  15. ↑ Jessica Hemmings
  16. ↑ The Canadian High Commission Archived 2008-12-20 at the Wayback Machine.
  17. ↑ "Centre for Canadian-Australian Studies, Australia". Uow.edu.au. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  18. ↑ "Gallery One, Ellensburg, WA, USA". Gallery-one.org. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  19. ↑ "CAIN: Victims: Memorials: The Linen Memorial". Cain.ulst.ac.uk. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  20. ↑ Lace: contemporary textiles : exhibition + new works (Australian National Library Entry)
  21. ↑ FibreArts 2007, VOL 34; NUMB 3, pages 44-45 Archived 2008-07-25 at the Wayback Machine.
  22. ↑ The Linen Memorial: State and Sectarian Violence in Northern Ireland
  23. ↑ Freedman Gallery Publication List
General
  • Jessica Hemmings (2007). "Review". Fiber Arts Review USA.
  • Carolyn Strange (ed.). "Politics, Aesthetics, Legalities". Pain and Death. The Australian National University, Research School of Humanities. XIV. No. 2.
  • Meredith Hinchliff (February 11, 2004). "Review: The Fabric of 30 years of The Troubles". The Canberra Times. p. 27.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.