May & June South End Member Artist: Beth Haggart
Artist Statement
![Five flat, abstract humanoid figures stand in front of a brown paper background. The background has a large white semicircle on it with the flat part down. The figures are multicolored. Four are tall and thin, but the second from the right is small and mostly green.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-05/beth%20haggart%202.jpg?itok=dfRT02cE)
My life has always been centered around creativity. I have always painted and created odd sculptures using found materials. After being a commercial artist for too many years, I earned a BA in art at UVM. and a Master’s in sculpture at RISD. I taught sculpture, bookmaking and 2 dimensional design at both St. Mike’s and UVM. Later, I spent 3 years teaching art and English in Ghana, West Africa.
My love of nature, plants, and the Earth led me to study green roof design through the non-profit Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, and became a certified “Green Roof Professional”. My most valued works ever are living roofs on both my front porch, and a freestanding sculptural structure crowned with a living roof dedicated to pollinating flowers.
My Tribe
While working in my studio, staring down at a length of brown paper used for years as a painting drop cloth, a figure appeared to me amongst the drips and smudges. Curious, I tore it free of the surrounding paper, and was amazed. Then one by one, I caught glimpses of other figures and also tore them free from the paper, into their own unique lives. Each was totally fresh and unexpected. When that drip paper was gone, I created other similarly distressed paper. Using the same technique, but on white watercolor paper, a different style occurred with distinct characteristics, as this paper could not be torn, only cut.
These odd figures are indeed My Tribe, My People. Their energy still floods me. I would like to introduce them to you. They will tell you stories.
Items in this installation are not for sale.