Indivisible: Sharon Sekhon's CSUF's Honors Class

I am happy to present square number 141, a second work created by Mahazaib Q., a student in Professor Sharon Sekhon's Honors Class at California State University Fullerton:

Hope, Mixed media on paper, 2018.

Mahazaib's square is a direct and striking work of a stationary, lone figure in black, with her head bent forward; her heart appears light in color and buoyed by hope.

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.  

Indivisible: Sharon Sekhon's CSUF's Honors Class

I am pleased to present square number 140, a work created by Alexandria O., a student in Professor Sharon Sekhon's Honors Class at California State University Fullerton:

Mixed media on paper, 2018.

Alexandria's square shows what one needs to keep oneself grounded and thriving; at the roots are "Strong Foundations" which include: Confidence, Family, Equality, Support, Dreams, Justice, Friends, Passion.

As the tree grows, a "Strong Mind" is at the top, which includes: Hope, Respect, Self Growth, Love, Education, Equality for All.

With all of the mental noise in the world, these are terrific and important elements to strive towards and live by.  Take care of yourselves!

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.  

Indivisible: Sharon Sekhon's CSUF's Honors Class

I am happy to present square number 139, a work created by Mekena G., a student in Professor Sharon Sekhon's Honors Class at California State University Fullerton:

Marker and collage on paper, 2018.

Mekena's square reflects positive messages and imagery that remind us how our country should GET IT TOGETHER so we can come together to better our relationships with family, friends, neighbors, strangers near and far, in a loving and productive way.

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.  

Indivisible: Sharon Sekhon's CSUF's Honors Class

I am happy to present square number 138, a work created by Jacquelyn M., a student in Professor Sharon Sekhon's Honors Class at California State University Fullerton:

Music of Movements, Paint and marker on paper, 2018.

Music of Movements contains song titles that address social justice, upheaval and unrest in past and contemporary American history.  These include:

Bob Dylan's The Times They Are A-Changin'
Janis Joplin's Mercedez Benz
The Black Eyed Peas' Where is the Love?
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's Ohio
The Beatles' Revolution
Ed Sheeran's What Do I Know?

Take a listen!

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.  

Indivisible: Sharon Sekhon's CSUF's Honors Class

I am happy to present square number 137, a work created by Fuji, a student in Professor Sharon Sekhon's Honor Class at California State University Fullerton:

Pen, marker on paper, 2018.

Act Up is "...a diverse, non-partisan group of individuals united in anger and committed to direct action to end the AIDS crisis."  Fuji's square is a wonderful take on the style of well known artist Keith Haring's work. Haring was an artist predominantly active in New York City during the 1980s.  He created pop art and graffitti-like work using graphic outlines of figures against blank backgrounds. Haring created many works in public with his drawings appearing in the NYC subways. His later work often addressed social and political themes, and towards the end of his life, he made work regarding homosexuality and AIDS. He died young due to AIDS-related complications. You can read more about Keith Haring here.
Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.  

Indivisible: Sharon Sekhon's CSUF's Honors Class

I am very pleased to present square number 136, a work created by Rebekah K., a student in Professor Sharon Sekhon's Honors Class at California State University Fullerton:

Marker and paint on paper, 2018.

Our phones have become an integral part of our lives as they are our main way we communicate with each other and access information across the globe. As Rebekah's work demonstrates here, much of our emotional state is linked to content coming and going from these devices.  We still make a choice what we want to see, read and access.  Sometimes it's a good idea to put your device away for a bit and have a in person face-to-face interaction.  :)

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.  

Indivisible: Sharon Sekhon's CSUF's Honors Class

I am happy to present square number 135, a work created by Kyle S., a student in Professor Sharon Sekhon's Honors Class at California State University Fullerton:

Love, mixed media on paper, 2018.

I love Kyle S's square "LOVE."  This charming work shows people of various ages, ethnicities and genders happily spending time together, waiting for the rest of us to catch up to their loving example.

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.  

Indivisible: Sharon Sekhon's CSUF's Honors Class

I am happy to present square number 134, a work created by Courtney W., a student in Professor Sharon Sekhon's Honors Class at California State University Fullerton:

Collage, pen marker on paper, 2018.

Courtney's piece touches on what keeps everyone going in such a politicized, mentally and emotionally difficult and often negative climate: HOPE.  She lists some of the groups that have been most impacted by our current administration's rhetoric and actions: Immigrants, children, LGBT, victims, women, families.


Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.  

Indivisible: Sharon Sekhon's CSUF's Honors Class

I am very pleased to present square number 133, a work created by Alexandria O., a student in Professor Sharon Sekhon's Honors Class at California State University Fullerton:

Change is Gonna Come, marker, pen on paper, 2018.

Sam Cooke wrote the song "A Change is Gonna Come" in 1964, based around several experiences including"...an event in which he and his entourage were turned away from a whites-only motel in Louisiana. Cooke felt compelled to write a song that spoke to his struggle and of those around him, and that pertained to the Civil Rights Movement and African Americans…" (from Wikipedia.)

Lyrics to Sam Cooke's song:

I was born by a river, oh my
In this little old tent
Oh, just like this river
I've been running ever since
It's been alone

Lord, I'm coming but I know, but I know
A change is gotta come, now
Yes, it is, my oh, my oh, my oh

It's been too hard livin', oh my
And I'm afraid to die
I don't know what's up there
Beyond the clouds
It's been alone

Lord, I'm coming but I know, but I know
A change is gotta come
Oh, yes it is, my oh, my oh, my

There's a time
I will go to my brother, oh my
I've asked my brother
Will you help me please, oh now, oh now

He turned me down
And then I asked my little mother, oh my
I said mother, I said mother
I'm down on my knees

It's been time that I go
Lord, it's too late, very long, oh now, oh
Somehow I thought I was still able
To try to carry on
It's been alone

Lord, but I'm coming that I've know
A change is gonna come
Oh, yes, it is

Just like I said
I went to my little bitty brother, oh my, my little brother
I asked my brother
Brother, help me please, oh now

He turned me down
And then I go to my little mother
My dear mother, oh now
I said, ?Mother?, I said, ?Mother, I'm down on my knees?

But there was a time that I go
Lord, it's too late, so very long, oh, my oh
Somehow I thought I was still able
To try to carry on
It's been alone

Lord, I'm coming but I know, but I know
A change is gotta come
It's been so long, it's been so long
A little too long
But change is gotta come

So tired, so tired of suffering
Standing by myself
And standing up alone
But a change is gonna come

You know, I know
You know that
I know and I know
And you know
A change is gonna come

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.  

Indivisible: Sharon Sekhon's CSUF's Honors Class

I am happy to present square number 132, a work created by Ayanna L., a student in Professor Sharon Sekhon's California State University Fullerton's Honors Class:

Marker and collage on paper, 2018

Ayanna's square calls us to action and reminds us to not be complacent about the goings on in our world.  The best quote: "Deepen your sympathy, then convert it to ACTION." 

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.  

Indivisible: Sharon Sekhon's CSUF's Honors Class

I am happy to present square number 131, a work created by Elizabeth W., a student in Professor Sharon Sekhon's Honors Class at California State University Fullerton:

Unity, collage on paper, 2018.

One of the themes chosen most often for this project is UNITY.  View the words highlighted in Elizabeth's square, within the strong image of the grasped hands: Women of grit, diversity, spirited leader.

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project. 

Indivisible: Sharon Sekhon's CSUF's Honors Class

I am happy to present square number 130, a work created by Cindy P., a student in Professor Sharon Sekhon's Honors Class at California State University Fullerton:

Marker, pen, pastel on paper, 2018.

In the image, people are gathered on the tops of buildings around New York, gazing out at the Statue of Liberty as the sun rises or set beyond her. The sonnet by Emma Lazarus titled "The New Colossus" written in 1883 and engraved in 1903 on a bronze plaque mounted inside the pedestal of the statue says:


Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. “Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

Powerful words.  Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project. 

Indivisible: Sharon Sekhon's CSUF's Honors Class

I am happy to present square number 129, a work created by Mahazaib Q., a student in Professor Sharon Sekhon's Honors Class at California State University Fullerton:

Unity, paint and marker on paper, 2018.

Mahazaib's work "The gift of unity," is a good reminder that we are but one small piece of a large community and world.  The expression "Think Globally, Act Locally," comes to mind when viewing this work.  Let's continue to put that into practice.

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project. 
 

Indivisible: Mark Kristula

I am pleased to present square number 128, a work created by Los Angeles writer Mark Kristula:

Text on paper, 2017.

Mark's words are important; true listening to and engagement with others takes practice, effort and patience.  We are lucky to have access to various social media platforms in order to receive information, but it is easy to get overwhelmed by the barrage of constant news and knee jerk opinions to news stories. Sometimes it's easier to have a meaningful conversation in person and truly connect with others.

As Maria Popova wrote in her "Brain Pickings" newsletter yesterday: "Every act of communication is an act of tremendous courage in which we give ourselves over to two parallel possibilities: the possibility of planting into another mind a seed sprouted in ours and watching it blossom into a breathtaking flower of mutual understanding; and the possibility of being wholly misunderstood, reduced to a withering weed. Candor and clarity go a long way in fertilizing the soil, but in the end there is always a degree of unpredictability in the climate of communication — even the warmest intention can be met with frost. Yet something impels us to hold these possibilities in both hands and go on surrendering to the beauty and terror of conversation, that ancient and abiding human gift. And the most magical thing, the most sacred thing, is that whichever the outcome, we end up having transformed one another in this vulnerable-making process of speaking and listening..."

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project. 

Indivisible: New Haven Friends Meeting Group

I am pleased to present square number 127, a fun work created by a member of the  New Haven Friends Meeting stitch group:

Marker and pen on paper, 2017.

 

 

While it can be incredibly challenging to keep our sense of humor in such dire times,  it's important that we must! It relieves stress and keeps us sane.

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.

Indivisible: Kristine Hatanaka's high school art class

I am pleased to post square number 126 created by Brennan E., a student from Kristine Hatanaka's art class from Culver City High School Academy of Visual and Performing Arts: 

Graphite on paper, 2017.

Brennan's work is a gentle drawing of an African park ranger showing kindness to an African elephant.  African park rangers put their lives on the line daily in to protect the wildlife. Many in fact have been killed by poachers determined to illegally hunt protected animals, especially elephants and rhinos.

This drawing is another reminder of the many ways humans are connected to other living creatures world wide.

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project. 

Indivisible: Kristine Hatanaka's high school art class

I am happy to post square number 125 created by Sophie N., a student from Kristine Hatanaka's art class from Culver City High School Academy of Visual and Performing Arts: 

Collage and marker on paper, 2018.

There are many elements in Sophie's collage that speak to unity, love and connectedness to one another. Looking closely at her work, one sees several  pages from the dictionary that have been torn and reassembled.  Many words from these pages have been highlighted including the following:

Valuable, rebellion, leadership, union, exceptional, pride, respect, self-pride, prevention, proud, courtesy, worship, culture, heal, treat, attend, pioneers, unique.

The central image appears to be a young woman holding one of the "love locks" perhaps from San Francisco, Brooklyn or Paris.  The Love Locks started around 2006; people would engrave their names or their initials and those of a loved one on a padlock and attach it to a bridge.

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project. 

Indivisible: Kristine Hatanaka's high school art class

I am pleased to post square number 124 created by Alyssa, a student from Kristine Hatanaka's art class from Culver City High School Academy of Visual and Performing Arts:

Our Voice is One, pencil and watercolor on paper, 2018.

Alyssa's work, Our Voice is One, echoes the large, vocal protests and outcrys regarding our current country's injustices heaped on so many peoples - both inside and outside our borders.  Add your voice - through voting, marches, phone calls, letter writing - any way, any support system that you can access in which your voice can be heard.  It does matter! 

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project. 

Indivisible: Kristine Hatanaka's high school art class

I am pleased to post lovely square number 123 created by Lynn K., a student from Kristine Hatanaka's art class from Culver City High School Academy of Visual and Performing Arts: 

Colored pencil and paper collage, 2018.

This gentle images shows a deer with antlers that visually double as tree branches supporting leaves and a group or 'kaleidoscope' of butterflies. A beautiful illustration, it is a reminder of how we are connected to nature in many different ways. Our choices and actions have large implications on living things and beings, both seen and unseen.

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project. 

Indivisible: Kristine Hatanaka's high school art class

I am happy to post beautiful square number 122 created by Isabella B., a student from Kristine Hatanaka's art class from Culver City High School Academy of Visual and Performing Arts:

Colored pencil on paper, 2018.

Continuing the theme of yesterday's marches, Isabella's drawing demonstrates Unity, showing two individuals holding hands, uniting across the world through peace and beauty.  The linked chain further serves as a reminder of how we are all connected to one another, no matter where we live.

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.