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THE SECRET. 1991.
Woodblock: ink/paper. 13.5" x 11".
THE KEY. 1987.
Oil/panel. 24" x 18".
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Artist Statement
When I first made the woodblock print, The Secret, I had no theme or meaning in mind; I was simply inspired by an old photograph of myself. But very soon, the title came to me, and I began to know that "the secret" was connected to the problem of sexual violence, psychological, emotional and physical. I was lucky, in that, unlike so many women I have known, I suffered no physical sexual violence as a child and young woman. But like most of us, I suffered psychological and emotional violence. From the crude remarks about my 12 year old body by male classmates, to the sexual groping of boys when I still was innocent and ignorant, to the adult men who cruised my neighborhood, making frightening invitations--all of this was confusing and embarrassing and exciting and frightening. And I never told anyone--neither my parents nor my friends. I carried a huge repository of secrets as a young girl, and though as an adult I have talked about some of these experiences, my sexual history is still largely a secret known only to myself.
The Key
I was born in the Depression, grew up in the 1940’s. At that time, my future was already made for me. I was to make myself attractive to men, find a good husband, and be a good housewife and mother.
None of these roles appealed to me,but by the age of 24, I was safely trapped in all those roles.
The Key is about that womb-like existence that I allowed myself to walk into. How many years did it take for me to use the key? Fifteen.
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