At 25 is a collaborative work that commemorates Tim Lowly’s daughter Temma as she turned 25 years old. Temma has been the subject of his work since birth. Lowly, has explored his relationship to her as father and caregiver as she was born with severe physical disabilities. Doctors told Lowly and his wife Sherrie that Temma (b. 1985) would not live to age 25. Lowly invited friends to contribute parts that make up a composite portrait. He described the process:
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The piece is composed of 25 sections, each of which is painted by one or two artists from around the world. For the “portrait” side of the image I provided the participants with a section of a photograph corresponding to the piece they were given. I also gave them black-and-white matte acrylic (the paint I usually use) and asked them to render the photograph as stylistically neutrally as possible…I am very grateful for how willingly and sincerely the participants took on this part of the project. For the back side of the work the directive was much more open: “make it gold.” As anticipated the result of the back was very eclectic and (friendship) quilt-like.
