Motherless Child

This autobiographical statue is made from old found objects I collected that personify: complete emptiness, the lifelessness of suppressed rage, fear of breathing and extreme disconnect from self and the world. The haunting minor chords in the spiritual, “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child”, sung by Bessie Griffin, give a somber account of the inveterate sadness and despair of utter abandonment.

Childhood neglect and abuse placed deeply rooted challenges in my path, yet somehow I survived. Today, I practice what I call a curated state of noble mourning, which include periods of quietude where I re-master my sense of human belonging, dignity and mutuality. I learn and relearn that healing is a process, not a product.