Sean Martorana x Philly Love Notes
Posted on November 13 2017
Visit Philly Love Notes for more information and follow her Instagram account for more announcements.
From Philly Love Notes:
The best part about running Philly Love Notes and making maps is the opportunity to connect with, spotlight, and help build the Philly community (see Giving Back This Year — news about 2017 soon, #whyilovephilly Twitter campaign, #whyilovephilly parties, Philly Love Letters). So… I’m very excited to announce the new project, #whyilovephillyarts, a series of collaborations aimed at showcasing the amazingly talented artists and makers we have here in the city.
The Concept
– Commission a piece of art from a variety of painters, illustrators, graphic designers, fabric artists, woodworkers, etc. in their traditional medium. No real guidelines except that it had to be about Philly.
– Create a 5×7 postcard from that original to be sent out as a limited edition of 50 with each of the custom woodcut maps.
– Design a limited edition set of prints to be sold in the Etsy shop (more details to come + link to buy).
– Build a body of Philly-specific art across a variety of mediums for people to purchase with 100% of the profits going to the artist (along with a full commissions and licensing fees).
Sean Martorana’s Breath of Desire artist statement
When asked to create something for Philly Love Notes that represented Philadelphia, I wanted to look beyond the obvious and learn more about the city I love so much. So I started to research the unofficial symbols of Philadelphia that I felt captured the spirit and attitude of the people — our passion, loyalty and acceptance.
I find the creative community here in Philadelphia to be very special. There is an energy that comes from mutual support, admiration, and celebration that doesn’t exist everywhere. I felt that energy when I saw Harriet Whitney Frishmuth’s sculpture Aspiration (1933), located in the famous Laurel Hill Cemetery, and it became the centerpiece of this painting. Ms. Frishmuth was a native of Philadelphia – born here in 1880, and buried near her incredible sculpture – and her spirit and influence lives on.
Included in the piece are other icons of Pennsylvania that I see in the shared character of Philadelphians: the Great Dane for its strength, beauty, intelligence and tolerance; the Eastern Hemlocks for their protection and shelter; the Ruffed Grouse, a hardy bird that is a survivor in tough conditions; the beautiful Penngift Crownvetch, which plants its roots deep into the ground, protecting the land around it; and finally, the fireflies that light the way through the dark.
These are the symbols of life here in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A city of hope, tolerance, refuge, endurance, community and light.
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