“I was told an accident happened here and a lot of women and girls lost their lives… So I’m doing this in honour of those women. It’s gonna be a beautiful piece, as beautiful as I can possibly make it …”

Visiting artist Lonnie Holley narrates, sings and discusses his practice and philosophies as he carves the delicate profile of woman’s face using the raw elements of a discarded screw and sandpaper in the surface of styrofoam, “that made me think of the moon because it looks like Swiss cheese.”

Paddy Shine of GNOD recalls Lonnie’s visit:

“Lonnie is an amazing artist and a lovely man. He was staying at the Mill for a few days and constantly made work during his stay, turning trash into gold. I find this video really touching.”

Lonnie Holley was born on February 10, 1950 in Birmingham, Alabama. From the age of five, Holley worked various jobs: picking up trash at a drive-in movie theatre, washing dishes, and cooking. Read more about Lonnie at his website here.