One Sunday i Became The Virgin Mary
1978-79, 5" x 5" x .5", Limited Edition of 10
Rabbit Fur, Hand-made Paper, Silver-prints

One Sunday i Became The Virgin Mary is an autobiographic tale about a time the artist, in a fit of anger, smashed a plastic statue of a Madonna on her door step.  In the middle of this emotional and true story the writing turns to fiction, and becomes a descriptive analogy between the broken statue and the artist. As the allegory slowly unravels, it portrays a dark, depressing tale about “time”, “money” and “this thing perhaps love”.

Measuring 5” x 5”, the pages consist of hand-set letterpress text printed on paper made by hand from the artist's own bed sheets.  The text is purposely difficult to decipher due to its deliberate translucent tonality.  At the center of the book, an accordion page expands to illustrate an imaginary, surgical operation documented through a series of 2" x 2” sepia-toned contact prints mounted on the page.

Bound in white rabbit fur, at first touch this book seems to be lush and inviting. The scale and materials were inspired by a child's hand muff used in the 1950’s for keeping tiny fingers warm. The longer the book is held the warmer it appears to feel, yet emotionally the experience remains cool. 

Warmth and solace remain elusive in a tale that confronts and questions issues of power, abuse and self-hatred with such intimacy and vulnerability. 

Acquisitions: Contact Conduit Gallery
Exhibitions: Contact Susan kae Grant