Keith Spiro Interviews Robin about the Foremothers Project
In this interview with Keith Spiro I speak about my inspiration for The Foremothers Project and how I started gathering Foremothers stories from other people in the community. Keith describes himself as a business strategist and community builder. But in truth, he is so much more–a wonderful photographer, creative spirit, family man, and dear friend. In our conversation, Keith gives me a chance to talk about what motivates me as an artist and what I hope to open up in others through The Foremothers Project.
Visit the Foremothers Gallery to see new artwork from the 2023 exhibit
I published this blog originally in 2021 and since then the Foremothers Project has grown and expanded with new work and perspectives. So I am republishing this post with the wonderful interview by Keith Spiro. .https://robinbrooksart.com/stories-of-foremothers/
Explore the Blog to Read Foremothers Stories
Many of the stories I have published, like my story about Aunt Fannie and the story from Christine Higgins https://robinbrooksart.com/christines-inspiring-foremother-from-finland/ are about Foremothers who immigrated to this country for a better life.
Share your Foremothers Story
Our Foremothers Live Within us.
Our Foremothers live within us. Please consider telling us about an inspiring foremother in your life. You may use the comments, or email Robin at robin@robinbrooksart.com to share an image and a couple of sentences about a foremother, whether related to you or not, and how they have inspired you in your life.
As always, I love hearing from you.
Please be in touch. Stay well, and enjoy! Thank you for taking an interest in my creative work.
Robin,
I love the piece, “We are made from the same cloth”. Just beautiful! I haven’t watched the interview yet, but I will!
Keep making art!
Thank you, Mary! “We are made…” is composed scraps of sari fabrics collaged on top of a rubbing of a collagraph printing plate. The buttons are sewn on.
Excellent interview, very moving. Takes me back to my foremothers, who were very set in the times. One grandmother had 10 children and was put in the state mental hospital (no wonder). The other grandmother had 8 children, sharecroppers, didn’t have a home. She was moved around staying in the homes of her children. We have come a long way! So hoping that women continue to make progress in our country instead of being pushed back.
Hi Georgia, Thanks for your kind comment about the interview, and for sharing a bit about your grandmothers. In these times we’ve suffered setbacks, , but I am a strong believer in our power to continue making progress. Each of your grandmothers has a story of consequence, as mothers and survivors of a rural agricultural life and the exhaustion of repeated childbearing. If you have photos and would like to write a remembrance of one or both of these beautiful women, your foremothers, I’d love to publish it on my blog.