Postage People and Their Stories: A Collage Workshop with Sian Robertson

Using vintage postage stamps of people as the starting point, participants will use collage and other mixed media techniques to create new characters and quick one sentence stories about them. During the workshop they will consider the connection between these new characters and the written stories, to discover how the visual art they create informs, but is also enhanced by, the one sentence stories that they chose to put with them. Participants will explore how changing the background, or the stamp, or some other visual aspect of the piece, changes our perception, and therefore the story, of the ‘person’ we’ve created. No previous collage or writing experience is necessary and participants will learn about cutting and gluing techniques and other aspects of collage work that they may use in the future. They are encouraged to bring any postage stamps of people that they are willing to use in their art.

Sian Robertson is a self-taught collage artist originally from the UK, now living in North Truro.  Her source materials are mostly paper ephemera, though she occasionally includes mixed media components in her work. Robertson is an active member of PAAM and has participated in members’ exhibits since 2009, including having her work selected for several Her ‘Postage Portrait’ collages were featured in the Summer 2015 edition of Uppercase Magazine. Her two recent solo shows have featured her figurative pieces made entirely from maps, as well as her work incorporating vintage photos with maps. She is represented by Adam Peck Gallery.  http://www.sianrobertsonart.com