“Motherless” was started in 1995.  At the time I had no clear intention to do a series. A chain of personal events however prepared the fertile soil for a series that evolved over several years. My adolescent son left home, my mother's physical and mental health deteriorated, and I entered menopause. Looking back, I now realize that these momentous life events helped open a window through which I was able to see, feel and process painful childhood experiences. I needed to capture my sense of isolation, fear of abandonment and the feelings as a child of being invisible.

  On an unconscious level these intense personal experiences found expression by portraying broader social themes. I saw a reflection of my own feelings of loneliness and lack of worth with the collective dehumanization that exists in our technology dominated culture. I created stark images of human fetal hatcheries where mechanical wombs became cold substitutes for a warm nurturing loving mother. Without a mother, these fragile faceless newborns are seen scattered across the canvas, always wandering, always waiting. They are left alone to face the harsh realities of a motherless universe.

 

While working within these themes I had the
opportunity to use many different materials and techniques. Some pieces are exclusively ceramic, others only fiber and the majority are mixed media employing fiber metal, clay or other found objects. Nowadays I am in a different place in my life. Motherless gave me an opportunity to explore raw emotions like fear despair and feeling insignificant. My continuing work as an artist gives me new windows through which I can continue explore my emotional world.