Quest for the Bong Tree

2016, wool felt, string, thread, beads, papers, ink, gouache, 34 x 47 inches.

This artwork had many incarnations.  Almost 19 years ago, I made paper at Dieu Donné Paper Mill that I didn’t really like, so I painted on it, then cut it up. I still didn’t like it, so I sewed it together and painted on it, then I painted on it more.  I cut it up again and sewed it together again.  Just recently, I added the handmade felt land and cut it into an earth.  Finally, I painted again and added some beads.  The topography of this map isn’t  realistic, but in reality, the earth’s topography is always changing,  so the point is moot. The sea is multilayered and cantankerous.  The Owl and Pussy Cat are looking for the Land Where the Bong Tree Grows (I think that is Laos).

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