Postcards from Home

Maryann Kovalski and Linda Stillman

Hampden Gallery April 5 - April 28, 2012

Conceptual artist Linda Stillman and children's book author/illustrator, Maryann Kovalski, met as students at the School of Visual Arts in New York City in the 70's. Upon graduation, Stillman, deeply rooted in New York City, remained there while Kovalski made her way to Canada. They lost touch for thirty years.

In 2005 they re-connected. They began a conversation about the pleasures and frustrations of their lives as creators and as women, devoted, both to their art and their homes.

That conversation grew into a collaborative art project, "Postcards from Home", on the eve of Kovalski uprooting for the second time in her life, for a two-year stay in London, England.

The differences and similarities of life in the two cities are explored through rubbings, drawings, collage, photographs, found objects and, as is always the case with the postcard, short narratives. Rather than the traditional postcard as a souvenir of a public space, these are private images and musings. But as they are sent out through the mail, anyone can read them.

On May 21st, 2011, they showed the work on the sidewalk in front of the Guggenheim. They realized they had more to say.

The story has taken on the unexpected twist when Kovalski discovered she had to return to Canada to apply for a one year's visitor's visa to extend her stay. It was refused.

The Postcard Collaboration culminates in May 2012 with a show at The In & Out Club in London as Kovalski prepares to leave London for her old home in Canada.