Fragments of Self

For a cross section of the human brain, one might turn to a neurology textbook. Any cardiologist, likewise, could diagram the major valves and vessels of the heart in a few hasty sketches. For a picture of the way most of us actually think and feel, however, the closest we can come to capturing the strobe-like flashes of imagination and connection that play against the walls of our minds is to create a collage. It’s no wonder, then, that when someone as artistically inclined as Kathryn of Kitschy Hippo sets her mind to collage, the result is a work of art that sends splinters of memories and dreams through our consciousness, fusing the subliminal, as in On the Fence, with the sublime, as in Lightbulb Moment For a Bird or Cherry Tree. Considering the infinite variety of experiences we bring to the table, it’s a bit of mystery how such compositions can so consistently provoke contemplation among us, but they do, and the thoughts that emerge are often surprising.

Another obvious advantage of collage as an art form is that it writes its own rules. A piece like Sitting Pretty may represent exactly what the artist intends, but then again, it might inspire a flashback to something else: old schoolrooms, the ascetic environs of a factory, your mother’s years behind a secretary’s desk, perhaps. Three Little Birds might conjure the colorful reggae essence of the song that apparently inspired it, but on the other hand, it might just as well evoke the flora and fauna of a mythical world. To the question of meaning there is no wrong answer in collage, only a limitless number of honest answers. And if we are honest enough to admit that we find this art form just a bit irresistible, the following will be especially delightful news: Today's winner will receive the print Wishing For Paris to add to their collection. To qualify, visit Kitschy Hippo, then come back here to tell us about your favorite print. Tell us in a second post if you happen to subscribe to Wishing Willow, since our subscribers receive an extra entry in the contest. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 12/17/08.

**We have a winner! Marigold said, "As someone who's done the long distance relationship thing, I really love the "What If" print. It's gorgeous."**