Fulfillment

The Work

The artist worked with a group of people who have experienced homelessness to develop a concept centered on the meaning of home and community. The use of recycled materials emphasizes both resiliency and sustainability.

The Project

The project was funded by a grant under the Community Public Art Program. It was proposed by CMHA in 2010 as a collaborative process facilitated by CMHA staff which engaged a group of formerly homeless people.

The project also included a local media artist who recorded each step of the process to create a short documentary. The video has since been used as a tool for promoting understanding about mental health and homelessness. Additionally, it serves to demonstrate the value of public art as a collaborative, community-based process.

In the first phase of the project, CMHA staff facilitated two 3-hour sessions with participants and the artist to generate the artistic concept. The workshops involved drawing, painting, and sculpting in clay. Up to 30 individuals participated. As part of this creative process, participants also joined the facilitation team on a group outing to gather scrap metal for the project. In the second phase, the artist presented several concepts based on the outcomes of the workshops. The concept that was ultimately executed was based on input from the participants.

The Artist

Edward Goodon is a sculptor practicing in Vernon who works predominantly in metal. He was born and raised in rural Manitoba where he was greatly influenced by his natural surroundings.

Viewing

The work is located on the east face of the wall enclosing the site of Canadian Mental Health Association’s (CMHA) supportive housing facility at 330 Boyce Crescent.