My Work is Cut Out for You II
Aaron Needle
I was born in Newton and grew up working alongside my parents who were sandwich artisans. I give them credit for helping me to develop into the productive and artistic adult I am today.
I’ve been employed at Brandeis University since 2016 in it’s Rose Art Museum. Experiencing close up its diverse art exhibitions has been inspiring, and educational to me as an artist and human being.
In my early 20’s I was misdiagnosed with Schizophrenia. That label stuck with me for decades until clinicians at McLean Hospital who reviewed my history determined a terrible mistake had been made. The proof was that my mental health had improved significantly over time, whereas if I had Schizophrenia, which is a degenerative illness, should have worsened. These clinicians re-attributed my psychiatric symptoms to physical and emotional trauma I had endured. Many people view my artwork as further proof of my improved mental health.
I create my art with marbled paper made locally by Regina and Dan St. John of Chena River Marblers. Recently, The Metropolitan Museum of Fine Art in New York selected 100 examples of their marbled paper to display in its exhibition of the finest marbled paper made in America. I like to say that I have the distinct advantage of being able to create my art with their art!
I’d also like to express my gratitude to Jeffrey Hansell and Marji Bangs at the Belmont Media Center for making this show happen, and to the staff at ArtRelief of Waltham for providing studio space, friendship and encouragement.