2025, paper, fabric, ink, thread, 21 x 8 inches, though it depends on how the words are arranged.

This artwork is an offshoot of “Mother thinks ambition is tacky”.  The first thing that I wrote was “Mama says ambition is tacky”. Then I realized that, in fact, it is not “mama” , it is the proper “mother”  who says ambition is tacky.   I then realized that mother would never SAY that, she would only “think” it. She would subliminally and discretely express this belief by thinking it, because even to utter this conviction is unsupportable.  To even acknowledge the concept of ambition is odious. 

This longwinded explanation of another artwork explains that when I changed “Mama says ambition is tacky” to “Mother thinks ambition is tacky” I was left with the two words: “Mama says”.  I barely ever  throw any art leftovers away, so I looked at the “Mama says” on my wall for a very long time.  “Mama” is from the perspective of the little child who is still innocent.  But what the hell does she “say”?  Well, of course mama is always screwing up and says things that she shouldn’t like “fuck”, but  that is obvious. Everyone’s mama says “fuck”. That isn’t even shocking and isn’t even a mistake any more.  However, “cunt”  still has a little caché. It is also a word that mama chooses to say.  It is not a mistake. A mama is powerful and she is owning it. 

The red gingham fabric that is sewn onto the paper words might signify  “Marianne” from Gilligan’s Island style.  It portrays a down-home simplicity and a traditional female middle class work ethic from a by-gone era.  However, stitches are messy and dark, and  deep red ink bleeds from the edges into the fabric which takes the wholesomeness down a notch.  

Real womanhood is not to some people’s liking,  but how we do it is our business.  I rejoice in it.  Indifference is power.