RAYMOND HILLIARD (1931 - 2020)
Objects collected and written about by his son, David Hilliard.
My dad was the love of my life. Not a perfect dad. His very imperfections made him perfect though. Perfect for me. He loved me fully and accepted me and my brother on our own terms. The impression he made upon me is profound. I am who I am (for better AND worse…mostly better) because of this man. He was remarkable. Damn I miss him.
Ray asked my brother and I to memorize this when we were very young. It helped.
“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.”
-Henry David Thoreau
(Click on images to read descriptions. On mobile tap dot, bottom right corner of screen.)
Tanja’s thoughts: David and I worked on this in preparation for a conversation we are having together for the MassArt Auction on April 5, 2021. David’s commission is here, and mine here. We have been friends and colleagues for many years, I have been a long time admirer of his work, and felt like I knew a little bit of Ray through David’s images and stories. It was so rewarding to get to know him more from his objects. Although not part of the group that David put together, I loved the back of the self portrait (above), so had to find a place to include it (below).
David’s thoughts: I did it because it felt important. And to be honest, a little bit painful for me. And I trust you and know you will make something meaningful. It’s hard to represent somebody and 16 objects. Especially complicated people… Which is probably pretty much everyone! Thanks to you. It is very meaningful. Because of you, this project, I FINALLY opened the last box of stuff that was left behind in his room at the nursing home. I call it “the box of pain”. It needed to be opened, sorted out, and put behind me. So, thanks for that. Thanks for whatever you make! It means so much to me.
Purchase your own family commission.
More information on the Ephemera Project.
Four images above from David’s collection.