2007-2016, clay, mixed media; dimensions variable.
The portraits, which Haapapuro considered souvenirs of the experience, made up the ever growing traveling installation. They were given to the models during a celebration organized by the SID-funded Downtown Dayton Partnership. Models exchanged stories as they looked for their portraits amongst the hundreds on display. The event brought people from all over town together and sparked Haapapuroʼs interest in community activated art.
Haapapuro took her portable studio throughout Dayton, Ohio, to demonstrate that the process of making art is as interesting as the art object. She sculpted volunteers during the time they had available, then took reference photographs to work from after they left. As she drew and sculpted in parks, at malls and on sidewalks, those who stopped to talk were invited to model and agreed to exchange their time for the finished works.
Fifty-two portraits were loaned back for “Hereʼs Looking At You: Portraits in Ohio” at the Ohio Art’s Council Riffe Gallery in Columbus, OH. Haapapuro sculpted during the exhibit’s opening while gallery director Mary Gray described the project in this two-minute video (below).
In 2016, Rodney Veal, host of The Art Show, agreed to model while conducting
Haapapuro’s interview for Season 3, Episode 13 (below).
