“Still” by Dana Dirker
In sum, this work is about: This painting is for women survivors who are in the process of recovery. It is from a series of drawings and paintings that focuses on the woman in different situations of struggle, both within and around her. The titles of these works narrate the inner dialogue of the swimmer who, in her skillfulness and resilience, must choose the best stroke and technique to buffer danger. In this specific painting, the title “Still” refers to the motionless floating that she must bring forth to keep herself safe in deep water. It also speaks to the residue of a traumatic situation that is “still” with her.
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Dana Dirker Artist Statement:
Drawing, painting and mixed media are the languages with which I process my life as a woman, teacher and mother. Together with my love of nature and my mindfulness practice, creativity has enabled me to transform trauma into resilience. Inspired by eco-feminism, and a sensibility that I have carried with me from childhood, I explore the interrelatedness of healing in ourselves and in the natural world, as well as the porous boundaries between human and non-human beings. My art process is inextricably linked with the holistic and inclusive perspectives of children, and the multigenerational spaces they share with their caregivers.
Art allows me to speak, either directly or through metaphor, about healing, connection and transformation. My practice is very much a restorative process through which I hope to reach others who have suffered and give them a way out.
