Mary Abma: Artist

Mary Abma: ArtistMary Abma: ArtistMary Abma: Artist
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  • Bio and CV
  • Exhibitions
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  • Media
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    • Home
    • Portfolio
    • Contact
    • Bio and CV
    • Exhibitions
    • Speaking
    • Links
    • Covid Prayers
    • Media
    • Teacher's Corner

Mary Abma: Artist

Mary Abma: ArtistMary Abma: ArtistMary Abma: Artist
  • Home
  • Portfolio
  • Contact
  • Bio and CV
  • Exhibitions
  • Speaking
  • Links
  • Covid Prayers
  • Media
  • Teacher's Corner

Selected Community-engaged artworks

We Live Here: Wellington Flats 2020

We Live Here: Wellington Flats 2020

We Live Here: Wellington Flats 2020

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Driftwood Mural 2017

We Live Here: Wellington Flats 2020

We Live Here: Wellington Flats 2020

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This mural was made by students in grades 6 & 7 under my guidance. Driftwood was collected at a local beach.

Ash Tree Memorial Gathering 2017

We Live Here: Wellington Flats 2020

Ash Tree Memorial Gathering 2017

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Genesis 2016

Triptych Altarpiece 2013

Ash Tree Memorial Gathering 2017

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Triptych Altarpiece 2013

Triptych Altarpiece 2013

Triptych Altarpiece 2013

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Triptych Altarpiece 2012

Triptych Altarpiece 2013

Triptych Altarpiece 2013

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Milagro Prayer Shawl 2012

Milagro Prayer Shawl 2012

Milagro Prayer Shawl 2012

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milagro prayer shawl

About the Artwork

     In the spring of 2012, I began to work on an outdoor installation. Our grapevine, which had enfolded our deck for twenty years, had suffered a great shock due to a very early bout of warm weather, followed by a heavy frost. All of the growth that had begun this year, had died. Despite all of the tests we did to determine if the vine had any life in it, we could find none. Spring had come to the rest of my yard, but the vine remained dry and brown. I was inspired to make an artwork out of the vine. For this artwork, I invited people I knew to make or to find a small object that they would associate with a prayer (milagro) and then hang it on the vine.

     The goal was to cover the vine with visual representations of an entire, diverse community of prayers. Objects came from all over Sarnia, where I live, from London, where the artwork now resides, and from as far away as South Africa!

     In July of that year, the vine sprouted back to life. This natural act became symbolic of healing and the vine became a living metaphor.

     After a year and a half, I brought the installation indoors and fashioned it into a prayer shawl, inspired by the shawls that some church groups make in prayer for those who are in need.

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milagro prayer shawl

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