2025, papers, fabrics, vintage panty hose, tea dye, avocado dye, ink, graphite, coloured pencil, string, thread, 78 x 17 1/2 inches.

These bottoms/asses are from a lurid French “artist” who somehow managed to publish a book with tons of mediocre nudes.  As I write this, I think to myself,  “Why should I be surprised. (Not with a question mark either)”   When I received this book, I couldn’t wait to get my scissors and cut up all these nude pictures.  It is my small attempt to comment on this despicable male-dominated world we live in. I have struggled a lot to figure out how the boobs, bums, and lady muffs, should be reappropriated, but I am slowly trudging through the TWO books I have.  Shockingly, I was gifted the same kindness twice.  After much reflection, I  dressed these bums in vintage panty hose,  using one of the the centuries old ways women have attempted to “enhance” their looks.   I also like the effect.   

Winged angels are a regular component of Western art from the 5-17th centuries.  Though I have been looking at this art for the whole of my adult life, I was especially struck  by the endless  angels we saw on a recent trip to Venice.  When I created mine here,  I thought that fleshy asses would be a plucky replacement for fleshy babies.  I want to note, that there are other kinds of angels in Venice too, which I do find quite moving.   I am responding to them as well.   To me, these bottoms are the uplifted, while the babies are frankly bizarre.  

This artwork is a talisman and and icon because it is an object imbued with power.  It is subversive and spiritual at the same time. It is an homage to women, to birds, and to a greater force.  It is mighty and honest.