I have no sons, and I am a daughter, so my experience of mothers and sons is only observed, not known personally. I am married to a man who, like almost every man on the planet, has a complex relationship with his mother. My older brother and I share the same mother, so I have known that relationship for almost 58 years now. And then I watch the male world: men who are powerful, men who are babies, men who are good and kind, men who heal and men who destroy. I wonder what kind of mother each one of those men had.
This mother longs for her son, but I don't think it's a good kind of longing. Notice her feet aren't moving-she only makes the motion of caring, but doesn't really have to follow up. The son is child sized, but has a man's head. He appears to be trying to get away, but doesn't look very distressed. The background lines-sewing patterns-create a kind of chaotic directional order: Come back, go away, leave me. Stay. I can't live without you. I'll get you! No I won't. I didn't mean that. Yes I did. The son stays just out of reach, but will never really leave her sight. I'm not sure they can survive without each other.
I am currently going through all your paintings one at a time. Your works and narratives are inspiring and addicting.
ReplyDelete