Click "Play" above to see and hear artist Lori Gordon forage through piles of debris in the woods where her home and studio once stood, seeking bits and pieces to use for her post-Katrina works of art.
BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. -- At first, artist Lori Gordon combed through the wreckage of her neighborhood with trepidation, fearing that she would come across her husband’s cat or, worse, a human body. But that didn’t happen, and over time she came to find comfort and sanity in the activity — salvaging bits and pieces from the mountains of rubble in the woods after Katrina swept away the home, studio and treehouse retreat she shared with her husband, David Wheeler, a wood worker.
Replacing the body of artwork she lost in the storm is impossible, and replacing their home and studio is out of reach for now. But Gordon’s peregrinations have given her a toehold in the future, as she creates new mixed media pieces from the mud-caked fragments she has salvaged from the rubble.
“These collages — they’re not to everybody’s taste,” Gordon says. But she finds these works at very least generate conversation, and have largely received a positive reception in this arts-rich community.
The series is both literally and metaphorically composed of pieces of the storm, she says. "It is my way of trying to make sense of a senseless situation, and to find some peace in the middle of grief and loss."
At first, she was merely focused on finding things she and her husband had lost. She salvaged pieces of paintings and prints that she found wedged in trees or buried in the mud. Some turned up several blocks from where the house had stood. She picked up pieces of hardware from furniture that was otherwise destroyed. She came across the small stained-glass piece that had been in her front door. It was intact, sitting on the bare foundation, even though the door and the house were nowhere in sight.
She has run across fragments of art supplies she had accumulated over the past four decades, but the most valuable among them have eluded her.
“This is what kills me,” Gordon says, as she stops and picks up a plastic bag full of colored rubber bands. “I keep thinking I’m going to find one of these zip-lock bags that had all my turquoise in it or my amber — I had this beautiful Baltic amber — and instead I find my bag of rubber bands!”
“The other funny thing is that I have found so many paintings that were really shit paintings that I was going to paint over because I didn’t like them. What I really wanted to find was the painting I did of my dad who died 15 years ago.”
Click "Play" to hear Lori Gordon talk about the inspiration behind her artwork.
Nearly four dozen new works
Nonetheless, she has accumulated many treasures, and created nearly four dozen new works, some of them already sold through one of the few galleries to reopen in Bay St. Louis.’
Friends have opened up their own ruined shops and properties to her search for useful debris. She also peruses the wreckage that has been bulldozed into piles alongside the roads in the Bay St. Louis, Waveland area. Bits of dolls, picture frames, book covers and old photos all find their way into her work.
She gets excited about scraps that would be bypassed as more junk by most people. “Now this, this is a great piece of tin,” she says, picking a rusty relic out of the ditch. “The texture is good. … Look at all that different tonal stuff there.”
Some of the pieces are suggestive of the storm itself, including pieces of draped pieces of tattered fabric, like the remnants of clothes and bedding seen hanging in trees throughout the storm-stricken area. Others works include powerful symbols, such as photographs or images of eyes, angels and crucifixes that tend to elicit emotional responses and religious reflection. Some, says Gordon, simply mingle visual elements that work together, drawn from the detritus of the Katrina.
Aside from creating art, there’s little else normal about Gordon’s daily existence. She lives in a small trailer she bought on a parcel of land in outlying Bay St. Louis that owned by friends who also lost their home and business and uses what was their garage — a building with a gaping hole in the roof — for her studio. With the friends, a couple living at the same site in another trailer, they cook together outside.
Like many others, she spends a good deal of her time sorting through FEMA requirements and insurance settlements. Like other artists who remain in the community, she has applied for grants to continue her work.
Gordon and Wheeler’s home and studio were badly underinsured for Katrina. They had about $70,000 in flood insurance. That doesn't begin to replace the house, studio and treehouse, and their contents. Gordon's art supplies alone were worth $30,000, she estimates.
Insurers don't value unsold art
And there is essentially no insurance compensation for the lost artworks. Insurance companies cover only the cost of materials, Gordon says, so works that she can sell for hundreds of dollars are worth only a few dollars in insurance terms.
To save money, they aren’t planning to sign up for their property to be cleared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, because they hope to salvage lumber for rebuilding.
Wheeler has been working for friends in Minnesota since a few weeks after the storm. He needed to get out of the disaster zone, and they needed the money, Gordon says.
When he does return, he will likely do most of the reconstruction himself, but it won’t be cheap, even so. With new flood elevations expected to be adopted in the area, the house will need to be at least six feet higher than the existing slab, they figure. But the final elevation requirements for insurance aren't expected for up to nine months.
Meantime, for Gordon, art is a source of income, a psychological lifeline and her contribution to the community as it tries to shake off the nightmare of Katrina.
“A lot of this is for me,” says Gordon. “I have to do this kind of stuff as much as I need to eat and sleep. But the other thing that I am trying to do, and that I’m very happy about is, it’s a part of the building process, and I want people to be able to look and say ‘look there’s something that’s being created out of all this rubble, out of all this destruction.’ Anything that can give us any kind of hope is well worth pursuing.”
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Lori, hope your computer is working...ha ha. If there is anything I can do to help you please let me know. And remember to always...back up!
Larry Smith, BSL, MS (Sent Nov 30, 2005 4:25:21 PM)
If you need help with a website to display/sell your art, just let me know. I would be glad to help.
Julie, Houston (Sent Nov 30, 2005 5:18:55 PM)
Lori, Wow!! What a way to try to heal and restore your life and home. I do crafts and I find it to be very relaxing for me. Your work is astonishing and to take something that was so bad and turn it in to something positive, what a wonderful gift you have! I would love to have some of your cuss art, what an honor!
(Wampler must lead a very sheltered life and have never experienced any tragedy in her life and if that is how you feel, please tell me why your home is furnished with furniture and pictures etc. someone has made the things you own and I am sure they have let a cuss word out. So your comment only makes you look bad as I am sure you tell by the responses you have gotten) Good Day to all and keep doing what you are doing Lori, your work is remarkable. God Bless
S. Springer, Tulsa, OK (Sent Dec 1, 2005 1:53:58 PM)
Truly inspiring article. Like so many others where can I go online to see and maybe purchase some of your art. I have never gone through what you have and pray to God I never do. However if by some sheer chance I do and cuss now and then I hope it'll be ok. I can't believe that woman was worried over a cuss word when your whole life was gone. How shallow some people are. God bless and the best of luck to you and yours.
Rich Harris Troy, OH (Sent Dec 1, 2005 3:04:46 PM)
Lori,
As a fellow assemblage artist, I say 'You go, girl!'. I totally understand your need to create and how you can envision something from nothing. I myself have picked up bits of rusty metal while waiting for the Dauphin Island ferry! And have used them later. Your work is inspiring and beautiful. I hope you can establish a web site and share your work via the internet. God bless.
Cheryl
By the way, I didn't even see the 'cuss word' the first time I read the story. I had to go back and search for it. Pish posh!!
Natchitoches, LA (Sent Dec 1, 2005 9:21:47 PM)
Lori
Your creations have a great deal of meaning. It is a way to remember Katrina for a lifetime (not that anyone will forget). Let us know when you put them on a website for others to purchase. I go along with those who criticize Mrs. (Goody-too-Shoes) Wampler. Get a life lady. If you didn't like the words why did you listen?
Brandi Florence, Florida (Sent Dec 6, 2005 3:29:34 PM)
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.....
Where can I buy some of this beautiful art that you have created from debris. And isn't that what our Lord and Saviour has done with some of our lives???
He has in mine, created something substantial from what was waste. God Bless you Lori and Gordon.
D. Latham, Santa Teresa, NM (Sent Dec 6, 2005 6:30:17 PM)
Your story and work is beautiful. I have shown your pictures to some of my art students. I am hoping they will understand collages alittle better. We have already talked about how art is to make you think and doesn't always have to be beautiful. They agreed you did both well and the bits of mud need to be there.
Libbi Ackerman, Gore, Oklahoma (Sent Dec 7, 2005 12:51:28 PM)
Lori, I think what you are doing is wonderful and inspiring at the same time. Keep up the good work and God Bless you and your family. You are in our prayers. Thank you for sharing your story.
Bonnie, Burnsville,MN (Sent Dec 7, 2005 1:17:06 PM)
Lori: Your work is wonderful, please let me know how I can purchase a piece.
Valerie Cooney, Carson City, NV (Sent Dec 26, 2005 6:36:41 PM)
Lori Gordon is inspiration to all artists out here in the world! Even when everything is gone, no studio, no products, and no customers, the one remaining true gift is your God-Given talent that no one or nothing can strip away!
Katherine, Atlanta, GA (Sent Dec 27, 2005 8:53:05 AM)
Lori, I think your work is very inspiring and hope you get a site established so that we can all purchase some of your "cuss art." I truly would love to have some of it.
Dixie (Sent Dec 28, 2005 12:48:02 PM)
LOL... I also do assemblages and I had already done one of found New Orleans objects that collage the debris into the typewriter symbols that Beetle Bailey cartoons use for Sarge's cussing. It's gorgeous! It's okay for men to cuss, but not women, dats whot I heard. LOL
K D Nunez de Galicia (Sent Jan 13, 2006 12:03:19 PM)
Hi Lori, This is Robin Steves from Little Rock. It was wonderful to meet you and see your work this weekend at the "dress rehearsal" for Hearts for Heart. I can't wait for March 11 and "Opening Night" of Hancock Art. Your work is so touching and beautiful. I hope the tour goes worldwide so everyone can enjoy it . . . and BUY it! Love, all your fans in Arkansas!!
Robin Steves, N. Little Rock, Arkansas (Sent Feb 20, 2006 5:23:15 PM)
Lori,
Thanks for all you have done. We love your art and can't wait to have some more of your new work here in McComb at Japonica. We wish you the best. Come see us soon.
Japonica Gallery, McComb, MS (Sent Feb 22, 2006 8:57:12 PM)
Lori,
I don,t know if you remember me but I am Mary Pats son Kevin. I got a surprise to see your story told here.I would just like everyone to know that Lori is a very funny and kind individual.She has the best outlook on life and a great sense of humour, which is amazing considering how much she lost.Everybody should do themselves a favor and buy a piece of art from this lady.Her stuff is pretty good,so send her some cash and get yourself some art.You know you want to.Take care Lori.Keep on rocking in the free world!Love from Portland Oregon.
Kevin Forrest,Portland,Oregon (Sent Mar 2, 2006 9:01:56 PM)
Agree with Kevin -- do a good turn and buy Gulf Coast Art!
And while you're at it, check out the Hancock county artist website for other ways to help:
http://www.hancock-art.com/
Thais, Portland, Oregon (Sent Mar 4, 2006 7:43:49 PM)
Hi Lori, Are you the Lori Gordon that we used to know? Janice and I were both wondering if it could be you. We are still in Spearfish Sd. Sorry to hear about your problems. Take good care, Bob & Janice Koski
Bob Koski Spearfish, South Dakota (Sent Mar 12, 2006 2:24:57 AM)
The old saying goes, "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade." Lori, I just wanted to thank you for your courage in the aftermath of this disaster, and for being an inspiration to us all. As a fellow artist, I would like to highlight the (obvious) fact that your artwork is poignant and uplifting, and above all, HONEST. Honesty is far more important in the eyes of God than a frivolous cuss word.
Stephanie Unson, California (Sent Apr 13, 2006 4:57:22 AM)
Lori
I met you last weekend (4.27.06). You are an incredible person and I am enjoying the art I bought for you!
Take care and God Bless You!
Kristin Walraven, Michigan (Sent May 4, 2006 7:44:16 AM)
Rosie O'Donnell has this link on her blog so get ready for a lottt of traffic.
I think your work is brilliant! Good for you for making lemonade!
Susan, Phila PA (Sent Jun 3, 2006 7:36:37 AM)
Lori, your work is wonderful and to take something from the ruins and make it a memorable piece while giving yourself some strees relief is admirable.
Gosh, maybe if you had said feces painting, the poster wouldn't have been offended-lol. With all you have been through, I think I would have used worse words than that. Thanks for sharing your story.
PJ---Crowley, Louisiana (Sent Jul 13, 2006 3:20:47 PM)
I was a volunteer in BSL in May and saw your work displayed in the shop. It is fabulous and disturbing at the same time. People need to come and see your art in the context of the area, stay for a while, and help. Much as been done, but so much more is still left to be done.
Debbie Rogers (Sent Aug 2, 2006 1:47:09 PM)
Lori,
I heard your story for the first time today (on NPR!) and visited all your websites. The work is beautiful, and elicits a range of emotions. As a viewer, I get to think about where everything came from, and how the pieces can be brought back together, differently, painstakingly, but with beauty.
Your prior paintings were beautiful too, but the post-Katrina art is remarkable. Thanks for acting on the pull of your spirit; it's an example to a new artist like me. I lost my 14 year old son to cancer a few years ago. I asked him how he'd communicate with me and he said, "I'll speak to you through your art." It was the biggest gift he could have given. Grief can bestow gifts as well as pain, if we allow it.
Best of luck to you, and I hope to see you and your work someday in California!
Barbara Reid, Bakersfield, California (Sent Aug 6, 2006 3:06:40 AM)
Lori...
I was so happy to find this and learn that you are, as ever, preserving history through your art work. After Katrina I tried to find you to no avail...please get in touch!
Suzan O'Connell, Spearfish, SD (Sent Aug 7, 2006 1:52:43 PM)
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