History was not something I had in mind when I set out to do this piece . I had the title – Hearts and Hands . My idea was mostly a photo collage and to see what I might learn from all sorts of people who work with their hands . I didn ’ t expect the denials of health care folks . Apparently the healing arts are so afraid of lawsuits , someone wanting to celebrate their good work isn ’ t allowed in the door . I guess I should I have pretended to be sick and then whipped out the camera . I simply kept looking for people who would take a few minutes to talk with me , and let me photograph their visage and their hands . What came out , along with the expected pride of craftsmanship , the fun of a job that is different daily and continually getting better at a chosen skillset . The artisans I met felt connected to history . They were not only taking from the past , but also helping to create and shape the future .
The very first person I got to interview was the artist Juan Carlos Pinto . I ’ d met him while looking at galleries one day and liked his work . In talking with him for Hearts and Hands , I found out that he has a degree in history and was teaching it in Guatemala , where he is from . His life took a turn when he was battling depression and found his way out of it , learning mosaic mural making . Throwing himself fully into art , he got to meet incredible people like Jean-Michel Basquiat . Pinto believes in art to raise awareness and influence social change . It made me look inside of myself and question my place in history . It wasn ’ t a subject I had been that interested in at school , yet here was a man who was telling me that interest didn ’ t matter , you are a part of history anyway . He felt a responsibility as an artist to communicate what he is passionate about . Juan Carlos wants to remind people that they can live better lives or stand up for equality . I respect that , but was not convinced that I had a mighty part to play .
35 THE CONE - ISSUE # 9 - SPRING 2016