In the caves at Pech Merle in Caberets, France, in the Panel of the Dotted Horses, I saw the handprints of my prehistoric ancestors reaching out to me across eighteen thousand years. I wanted to place my own hand overtop the spread fingers of one of the hands, outlined in red, that surrounded the horses. I wasn’t the only tourist who was moved. The chatter ceased silence fell over our little group. We had as moving an inter-subjective experience of art as I have experienced in world-class galleries. Since then, hands, and the activity of hands, have been important images in my writing.

This website is the initial stage of a research project that inquires into people’s sense of place from the point-of-view of their hands. The work people do with their hands, the things they make, the art, the emotions they express: what do hands-on activities express about people’s sense of belonging to the places they live?

The project will draw on contributions from artists, poets, and travellers, and my own research to provide an intercultural examination of hands-on activities and elaborations. The final stage of this product will be the publication of an anthology of poetry, writing, art, and photographs that explore the relationship of hands, meaning, and belonging.

You are invited:

What is your story of hands?

This is a call to travellers, artists, writers, and students. We want you to share your work that explores who you are and how you have experienced the work of hands, or the works of the hands of others.

We are looking for poems, photographs, art, and writing in which the reader experiences the versatility and meaningfulness of hands by seeing hands at work. Please visit the submissions page for guidelines and contact information.

Sincerely,

Cornelia Hoogland and Carissa MacLennan

Visit Cornelia Hoogland's Academic Webpage