I started The Quote Project in 2009 after experimenting with ways I could artistically combine photography and graphic lettering. In my original iteration of the project, a person would choose a quote that was meaningful to them, I would then write it on their body and photograph them. This project continued for a few years and I was honored to show it in galleries, an art museum, and showcases in Philly and beyond.
When I began working as a psychiatric nurse practitioner, The Quote Project came to a natural pause. Instead of drawing on people, I was taking a deep dive into their psyches. I would get to know my patients on a deep level relatively quickly in order to try to help them feel better as soon as possible, and I became the collector of endless stories. I learned so much about the human experience, and I am endlessly grateful for the thousands of people who contributed to that learning over those years. Here are some of the most meaningful things I learned:
We all want to know we are not alone in our experiences
We all want to feel connected in some way. We all NEED to feel connected in some way.
Everyone has a story to tell.
Everyone’s story is valid.
It can be so hard to be vulnerable. It can be deeply freeing to be vulnerable when your experience is met with non-judgment and understanding and kindness.
We all want to be loved.
These days, I have been feeling pulled to combine my two worlds. I want to create art that connects people and validates experiences. I want to bring everyone in deep, so we can all learn about ourselves in the same way I have in my years of working in psychiatry. Despite being more connected to each other than ever online, I fear we are somehow also becoming less connected to each other as humans, and I would love to do my part to change that.
And so we have The Quote Project, reinvisioned. It will continue to involve individuals choosing a quote that resonates with them, but it will also now involve more personalized and vulnerable interviews with those who participate. Through art and storytelling, I want to dive into the complexities of the human experience that unite us all, and I would love for you to join me on this journey.
-Kari
