1: Relics of a Dream
This series is a direct result of dealing with the covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Confined to working within my my house I desired to be outdoors enjoying nature with family and friends. Specifically, I could not travel to Washington state to be with my mother and siblings as I usually do three or more times a year. I am bringing together many symbols and methods used in other works but are here brought together to reflect the ongoing 'dream' I had in my mind. The dream of travel. The silhouettes of the houses in each piece are derived from family homesteads or homes I have lived in.
Each of these are cut from 5" x 7" panels - 2020
These became gifts for my 5 children
Relics of a Dream VI: Mt. Sunset
20" x 16' x 2" paper collage on wood panel with found objects - 2021
Relics of a Dream VII: Communing with Nature
13.5" x 6.5" x 3" paper collage on wood panel with found objects - 2021
Collection of Mary Crabtree
Relics of a Dream VIII: Newport Memories
19.5" x 14" x 2" paper collage on cardboard panel with found objects - 2021
Relics of a Dream IX: Puget Sound Beachcombing
21.5" x 13.5" x 2" paper collage on cardboard panel with found objects - 2022
2: Discarded Family Relics
I often find objects at swap meets, thrift, and antique stores that seem to be former family heirlooms. I instantly ask myself what circumstances could have led to this item being discarded? I collect and enshrine each piece that speaks to me as a memento of the person as well as the items many of us treasure.
Discarded Family Relic I: Fragment of Wedding Cake 1890
28" x 18" x 6" wedding cake under lens in wood construction with gilt aluminium cast figures - 2019
Detail of the cake from the wedding of Henry Atwater and Margaret Drake who were married in Nova Scotia on July 20th, 1890.
Discarded Family Relic II: Baby Book of Maxine Elizabeth Farrar 1911-1999
6" x 14" x 9" found book under leaded glass box - 2020
3: True Fragments of the American Diet
Hunger urges must be satisfied every day yet fulfilling them has become a powerful social expression. Food is almost always shared and is tied to and helps define culture. I have heard the phrase 'you are what you eat' so many times and in so many circumstances that it became a truth to me. As a way of investigating that truth and shining a new light upon it I began this series in 2004 and continue to revisit it. Why not venerate, not just the food, but the memories and cultural circumstances attached to them? Ironically these pieces do not bring happy childhood memories to mind as they will for most. They are markers of being in a separate, lower class of society - feeling as though I was always looking on as others enjoyed these things.
True Piece of a Hostess Cupcake
18" x 12" x 4" mixed media construction containing cupcake fragments - 2019
4: Be Ye Clean...
Much of this series was shown in The Cost of Anything an exhibition review can be found here The Cost of Anything at Alice
I love to collect old medicine tins especially the pocket sized ones. As I contemplated the collection I made a connection to the scriptural injunction to, "depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord. (Isaiah 52:11)" Granted this is not about washing hands or cleaning your body, but I do find humor in thinking of it in those terms. The paradox of relying on man made items to prepare for spiritual matters could not be passed.
Pinex Laxative
Pepto Tablets
Caroid Tooth Powder & Manzan for Rectal Discomfort
Mecca Home Remedy & Boraxo Powder Hand Soap
Rectal Medicone
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