LORRAINE WEIDEMAN 

My Second Reader is a colouring book inspired by something I found in my partner’s old cardboard box of childhood mementoes. It was a construction-paper bound booklet entitled My First Reader, chock full of all the 1960s stereotypes – Dad in his necktie, devoted mother in her apron, and the children happily enjoying their trouble-free early years. Each page was carefully coloured, and subtle reassurances (check marks and stars), were added by his teacher. For many years my partner has suffered from clinical depression, and as I journeyed with him while he ruminates over the difficulties of growing up in a dysfunctional family, I realised that the dog-eared and poignant document’s half-truths must have played a small part in a little boy’s confusion, alienation and feelings of betrayal.

 

The body of work consists of thirteen 16” X 22” images, drawn in ink and coloured with wax crayon. Some of this series was showcased by the British Columbia Psychological Association (Simon Fraser University) in 2006.