Downtown Foot ART

Artist: Shaqe Kalaj (Pronounced shacha call-eye)

Why does an artist create art with her foot?

1. Even though I’m able to draw a realistic image with my dominant hand, last year I began to become interested in drawing “imperfect” drawings. Therefore, I began drawing with my non-dominant hand, and I liked the imperfections, so I pushed it even further and started drawing with my foot. I then thought people would be interested in seeing this as performance art. For people to really see the possibility with foot drawing, I began drawing actual buildings so others could see the likeness I can create with my foot. 

2. Is there one way to make art? Art, throughout history, challenges what “art” is. Me drawing with my foot challenges ideas on how art can be made.

3. One experience that ignited this process for me was when I was teaching in a school, where I was working with some students with cognitive impairment. I noticed that they had difficulty drawing what they see, but I was impressed with their lines and how shaky their drawings were. As an artist who has developed many skills through her dominant hand, I asked myself the question “how can I lose some of my skill?” This project began because of these students.

4. The first thing I noticed as I explored drawing, first with my non-dominant hand, then with my dominant foot, is that my creativity opened up in a whole new way. I think there is a cognitive shift by using other parts of our bodies. We use our dominant hand to do almost everything. There have been many studies that show the left/right brain thought-process. So, what if we’re limiting ourselves by using only a portion of what we’re capable of? What if we could open many vehicles to human potential, just by using our limbs?

5. Now you must know that I’m not the first person to create art with their foot. There are many artists that have to use their feet or their mouth to create art. Although an artist may have lost the use of their arms, that does not necessarily stop an artist from creating. They instead teach themselves how to move beyond a disability and learn to compensate with their other limbs.

6. So this “Downtown Foot Art” project is about more than drawing interesting buildings in suburban areas. It has the purpose of breaking down barriers and empowering all those who may experience limitations. This project also teaches that there are no limits to human potential, and our potential is boundless. Isn’t this what real art does? It breaks down barriers and creates meaning to anyone who is willing to truly encounter it.

Note: I’m scheduling a workshop on foot-art creation at Art & Ideas Gallery later this summer; call 734-420-0775 if interested.

Art & ideas Contemporary Gallery & Studio

15095 Northville Rd. Plymouth, MI 48170

734-420-0775