Photos by Isabell Macrina
Nydam with her friends, father, and husband discussing her projects
By Isabell Macrina
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Gorse Mill Studios showcased the works of the inaugural Needham Poet Laureate Anne E.G. Nydam. Nydam paired her art block prints with poetry, a lot of her original work but included some classic pieces that she felt were inspirational.
Inspiration takes all forms; Nydam credits her parents with hers. Her father shared comedy poems, while her mother jumped in and recited “Jabberwocky” (by Lewis Carroll) off the top of her head. Her father said she was so filled with ideas, and you can see the joy Nydam feels for her craft with how she talks about it. This gave her the idea to make prints inspired by classic pieces, like fairy tales and poems.
“Majority of the poems are first. When I start putting together the books, I’m thinking what can pair together,” Nydam explained. “Or I’m creating the print for the poem. A lot of them are a separate reaction to a thing I love.” Specifically, she spoke of a dragonfly print and poem she made at different times.
One of the standout pieces in the collection is “The Seventh Fairy.” Inspired by the tales of fairies blessing a child with gifts, usually the 13th one cursing the child. Nydam looked at the story and posed the question; what gifts did the other fairies give the baby? This one gifted math skills, sharing her personal tale of being a “non-math kid” in a math family.
Her background with the rubber art block printing comes from her teaching days. She taught art in a middle school and when looking for what to include in the curriculum, she came across block carving and printing. Originally a means of replicating pieces, art block printing evolved into its own art medium. People have their preferences in material, rubber or wood or linoleum, but now it is making the prints unique instead of copy after copy. After experimenting with it for her student’s sake, she found a passion for it that has continued to this say.
Nydam also encouraged the pursuit of art regardless of skill level, saying “One thing I like about block printing is even really simple looks really good.” She wanted to show this off with workshops; one for poetry on August 14th, and a block printing one on the 26th.
To experience the poetry and art block prints for yourself, visit the Gorse Mill Studios gallery before August 27th.
