Prehistoric
and contemporary goddess forms from all cultures inspire the goddesses
I create. The most notable influences, however, are the Greek cycladic
goddesses (3000 - 1500 BC). These ancient goddesses with their triangle
shaped heads are very powerful in their simplicity of line and shape.
They are austere and static and yet have a softness and approachability
to them, which establishes a response of intimacy with the viewer.
Their original symbolism is only theorized but is certainly related
to the female oriented non-violent society in which they were created.
The goddesses could be symbols of fertility, death and rebirth or
objects of adulation celebrating the society's harmonious relationship
to the earth.
I am using the metaphor of the ancient goddess to express my views and
feeling about current issues that are of importance to everyone but
are particularly relevant to women's issues. Using the image of a prehistoric
goddess imparts a remembrance of a time of peace, a relatedness to the
earth, and a reflection of a time of empowered women. I have dealt with
issues concerning women's loss of power over time, self image, physical
abuse, mental and verbal abuse, aging, mother-daughter relationships,
and spirituality.
Most recently, I have created an installation entitled "Bearing
Witness: Women Victims of War". This installation was inspired
by the events in Kosovo but has a timeless message. My work with the
"Black Box" series is a direct result of the installation's
theme of victims of war.