Coping Mechanisms, an Unburied spotlight
-By Sophie Swenholt
A recent addition to Unburied, Rebecca Hiles is a multi-media artist and sex educator who uses her art as vehicle for self-expression and therapy. A survivor of lung cancer and mental illness, Rebecca’s work draws from past and present trauma, bravely and beautifully confronting the very darkness she escaped. We caught up with Rebecca to talk about her creative process, bold artwork, and therapeutic expression.
Convergence: Are the materials you choose indicative of the meanings of your work? How do you decide which objects, textures, and pictures go into your collages?
Rebecca: Most of the materials in my various pieces are really indicative of the meanings, they all hold a special place in my heart as something that is or was very important to me. Every single bit of material was selected for its meaning to me. Even so far as putting the tarot cards in the appropriate positions for their meanings during that period of my life. As far as how I decide on them, I spend quite a bit of time drawing out the concept of what I see in my mind if it was a perfect world with unlimited funds, and I was able to create anything I dreamed up. After that, I spend time moving pieces around in drawings, playing with color, and with concepts until it’s more feasible to create!
Convergence: What song is the sheet music for in Coping Mechanisms?
Rebecca: “There Are Worse Things I Could Do” from the musical Grease. It is a song that is incredibly dear to me, and something that resonated strongly with me when I was going through my darker periods.
Convergence: Do you also work in other mediums?
Rebecca: I paint, sew, and write. That’s about it though. It’s not that I’m not creative, but rather that most of my time is poured into my blog (friskyfairy.com).
Convergence: How does it feel to open up your art to the public/strangers?
Rebecca: It’s a bit overwhelming. Much of what I do is on the internet, so I’m used to the anonymity there. There’s a freedom in writing and being online, because it all feels so disconnected somehow. You can power off, walk away without much effort. Having art displayed in public is much more concrete. People can see it and touch it in ways that they simply can’t online.
Convergence: Have you always used art as a therapeutic, expressive outlet?
Rebecca: I guess so, yeah. Much of the time growing up I was singing. Originally I was going to college for vocal performance (irony is a cruel mistress), and I’ve always used music and performing as therapy and expression. Around the time I was diagnosed with depression, I realized that I was using art to express myself. After that point, I just tied to keep giving myself the space to grow and change and be free.
Convergence: What has been your favorite part about your involvement with Unburied so far?
Rebecca: I really like that Unburied is a gallery of artists who aren’t as well known or represented. I appreciate when galleries, events, really anything, feature people who aren’t as well known. I think it’s wonderful.
Rebecca’s art will be on display at the Gallery at Convergence through the end of July. You can learn more about her revolutionary work as a sex educator at her blog, friskyfairy.com.
The Artist’s Journey: Exploring the path of the Contemplative Sculpture Garden →
The Secrets we Keep: an Unburied Spotlight →
