How the Plastic on Wire Project Emerged

Wow down the Rabbit Hole we go!

PLASTIC ON WIRE PROJECT

"I speak my own sins; I cannot judge another. I have no tongue for it."

― Arthur Miller, Crucible

The following paintings and drawings are based on a combination of drawings and photographic techniques, which Pamela Kurth developed while teaching Art, Design, and pre-press in a maximum-security women's prison. The idea for combining the two modalities was sparked when Pamela began noticing all the disintegrating plastic caught on barbed wire fences on the way to work. As the plastic disintegrated, incredible images started to appear. On windy days Pamela noticed the plastic shapes would translate into figurative forms, and this was the catalyst for further investigation of how the images could be used.

Pamela took over three hundred photos. Adobe Photoshop was used to edit the original plastic shapes without changing the original form. This requirement has remained the basis of all the work.

The inherent design of the broken plastic shapes reminded Pamela of the fractured women who were caught behind the wire. There was much beauty in some of the women! However, due to decisions made and consequences suffered, they ended up behind the wire.

Seen through the combined lenses of the camera and the artist's eye, Pamela Kurth had the idea to photograph some of her charcoal and ink drawings that she had completed while teaching in prison. An epiphany occurred and

The …..Plastic on Wire Series was born….