Marel Kalyn (1939-2016)
Marel née Marcia Lynch was an Oregon artist passionate about the ancient art of Papermaking and studied print making at the University of Oregon. Her explorations in handmade paper would ultimately become her thesis work that led to her graduating in 1979 and she would become one of the only women in the pacific Northwest with the skills to create paper using, raw pulp, molds and deckles, combining fibers and other classic techniques developed in Europe and Asia. She would take these ancient methods further with her complex layering techniques and also introduced contemporary elements into the paper including fabrics, dyes and thin metal screens as well as integrating her printmaking works.
‘Paper Collage 1’, Marel Kalyn, 1977, handmade paper collage, 19 x 17 x 2”.
I never expected that Marel Kalyn would become part of this project. She was a dear friend for thirty years, as I had been an artistic collaborator with her sons Arnold and Jacob. She was my "Art Mom" and the greatest champion of my work as an artist and feminist.
Paper Collage 2’, Marel Kalyn, 1977, handmade paper collage, 19 x 17 x 2”.
‘Sitting Nude, Anne’, Marel Kalyn (née Marcia Lynch),1966, watercolor on paper, 27.5" x 20.5" unframed.
I'm proud to have been able to bring Marel’s work back to New York after so many years, as she lived in the East Village on 11th Street in the late sixties, before going to Holland and meeting the father of her two children, Dutch artist Henk Pander. Later, her own art career was subdued by her responsibilities in raising her children as a single mother.
‘Group Nudes,’ Marel Kalyn (née Marcia Lynch), 1968, watercolor on paper, 27.5" x 20.5".
At age 78 when she was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, she chose to do no heroic efforts, no chemotherapy nor invasive procedures. Instead she chose to spend quality time with friends and family. At her request, I made a photographic portrait of her and beloved objects in her home shortly before her passing on September 20, 2016. She faced her illness and death with utmost bravery, she wasn’t going to let cancer deter her from connecting deeply with those she loved.
‘Marel Kalyn, Home’, archival print on Hahnemuhle paper, 23 x 11”, Marne Lucas, 2016.
‘Paper Sculpture’, Marel Kalyn, 1979, 48 x 60 inches.
A quote read at Marel’s memorial celebration…
"Insatiable" by Marne David Kellogg.
"How incredible it is that we spend years and years of our lives building our personal worlds, controlling our environments and surroundings, carefully choosing our friends, or jobs, our lovers. We dedicate ourselves to making our own world as perfect as it can be, We talk endlessly about how we would like to live and die, but the end it is all grace and favor."
Marel’s last email to me with sage words of advice:
Here are some ideas for this exciting new phase of your life-
Welcome and follow your new path with trust in yourself and others.
If you must entertain memories, focus on the ones that make you feel good about yourself and humanity and all the positive events that have brought you to this moment!
Celebrate who you are today and all that lies in wait for you.
Friends for life,
Marel