In my work I generally set up an obstacle for the viewer--something to hold their attention for that extra second. In this series, that developed into 15 two-sided canvases approximately 3’ square with different thicknesses, so that the viewer must circle around for the total viewing experience of “Behind the Scenes: A Four-Part Documentary of a Goddess.”

With an abundance of fabrics (my vintage wardrobe ruined by a house fire in 1994 and clothing that held precious memories for those that gave them to me to use), found objects and memorabilia, I began making these pieces. I wrapped the fabrics around the frames, paying attention to what was happening on both sides. I carried over fabrics used on the back of one to the front of another. Doing so helped develop a dialog between them and turned them, in my mind, into acts of a play. With the backgrounds completed, I realized I needed a performer. So I searched for somebody worthy that would bring to life these vaudeville stages. Then, suddenly, this ephemeral bust of a female emerged (mainly, this was loosely spray-painted on to resemble a mannequin that has been a permanent resident in my studio for years). She floated around each scene until I found pedestals to perch her on. With that, she instantly became a Goddess and not necessarily by her own choice.

While creating these pieces, I had thoughts about clothing and the media and how both have such an impact on our society’s perceptions of individuals. Clothing can beautify, disguise and define our selves. It even dictates how someone will be treated or viewed by others. Therefore people manipulate clothing to fit their personal needs and desires. With the encroachment of the omnipresent media and its proper lighting, make-up, wardrobe (or lack thereof) and editing an ordinary person can be well on their way to being a star overnight. It’s what we do as a society with these celebrities that interest me most. We want someone to look up to and admire but we also like to criticize and condemn. So with the help of the media we get to witness over and again the rise and fall of individuals and only hope that they make a fashion statement somewhere in between.

As I adorned each piece with trinkets for her props and “gilded” the edges for that old theater look, the tale of the Goddess unfolded. Here I must mention that the series is somewhat self-referential: loosely based on my memories and experiences. However I am not suggesting that I am at all ready or completely willing to be canonized myself-- just that women, for all their inner beauty and intrigue, are easily deified. So, under the lights, this Goddess played the part and she loved all the trappings and glory of being a Goddess.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t always stomach the constant attention and responsibility that came with being worshipped, and for a while she turned her back on her pedestal. All this time, her real life was happening behind the scenes, a life she tried to keep protected from view but with little success. Her followers had to know everything about her hidden truths. Once they found out she was no different from them, someone with strengths and weaknesses, her power was lost for generations. So this is the progress of a Goddess from beginning to end and, in keeping with human nature, it is to be fully investigated and individually interpreted…