Attention:

The Ralph Ellison Library at 2000 NE 23rd St is closed for upgrades beginning April 16. We anticipate reopening on May 6.

All libraries will be closed on Sunday, April 20, for Easter.

Squiggly Pens Passive Activity

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Program Type:

Cultural Experiences

Age Group:

All Ages

Program Description

Event Description

Squiggly pens, with their unpredictable, flowing lines, can be connected to the artwork of Edgar Heap of Birds through their shared emphasis on movement, spontaneity, and personal expression. Heap of Birds, a Native American artist known for his text-based and conceptual works, often employs gestural marks, handwritten text, and fluid compositions that challenge conventional structures. Similarly, squiggly pens create organic, freeform lines that resist rigid control, mirroring the artist’s approach to disrupting dominant narratives and embracing indigenous perspectives. Both mediums emphasize the power of mark-making as a form of storytelling and resistance, reinforcing themes of identity, language, and cultural memory.