SANCTIFICATIONS
ARTIFACTS
OPEN JAIL
OPEN JAIL series of shrines featuring magical creatures of alchemy.
A PATH OF RESILIENCE
A PATH OF RESILIENCE Cabinet of Curiosity partners with Chicago Park District, The Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail and 25 commissioned female artists. Displayed on BloomngdaleTrail May 15, 2022 - August 15, 2022. "In times like these, the public deserves moments of unexpected hope, surprise and wonder, and acknowledging the female creator is an act of honor and respect".
MESSAGES OF HOPE
Messages of Hope Shrine is my assemblage artwork for an installation of 65 Chicago artist work at the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Trail in collaboration with Cabinet of Curiosity, Frank Maugeri. The work is inspired by the hopeful spirit of people during these challenging times. While attempting to find peace of mind for myself during isolation I turned to author Anne Lamott and found a passage that moved me deeply: “There's a lovely Hasidic story of a rabbi who always told his people that if they studied the Torah, it would put Scripture on their hearts. ... But reading sacred text can put it on your heart, and then when your hearts break, the holy words will fall inside.” So my message of hope to you is say the words ~ we need them.
HOPE DIES LAST
(SLIDE ABOVE FOR GALLERY)
HOPE Dies Last is my series of assemblage urban artifacts inspired by people, society and the environment. The artworks are made with words and symbols interwoven with ritual. Each work begins as a tale of empowerment and transformation. As I create my art the materials delicately twist together layer by layer. I gently encourage you to engage in this series of calls and responses. My hope for you is a journey of personal crossings that unfold slowly and naturally, in all their glorious grit, for better or worse. So please, wander in, explore and find another part of your tale.
Born and raised in Chicago I developed an appreciation for the beauty of urban grit. My assemblage urban artifacts are made by combining things that have been discarded or not considered beautiful in a conventional way - wood, organics, naturals, metal, fiber, found and charged objects, concrete, encaustic, charring, repurposed and reclaimed materials, paper, spray paint, ink and stain. The materials are assembled with glue and cold connections. My colors evolve from the materials and I often use them symbolically.
CONVERSATIONS WITH PIGEONS
In the grit, grittier, grittiest city, day or night, you will find her having conversations with pigeons.
She carries them on her back ~ they come and go with messages ~ or they shout out loud from the rooftops. In dark glittering alleyways, you will find them gathered in circles, with cages on their backs, gathered to chant
of givingness and forgivingness.
FORGET ME NOT
Trickster, through no fault of his own, because after all it is the nature of the beast, got her twice times and then twice times more. He used to lurk in her shadow but now they walk side by side because she burst out and after all, she was really where she was supposed to be all the while.
UNBOUND FOR FRIDA
No pain or sorrow could bind her. Not her kind of spirit. Binding untied she soars freely in throughout the azure sky.
Frida reminds us that we are extraordinary with a one-of-a-kind story to live to the fullest.
WORDS NEVER SPOKEN
WORDS NEVER SPOKEN is a series of ritual pieces beginning with FOUND IN A BOTTLE. Rabbit King invites you to participate in a fire and air ritual. Take up pen and paper. Reflect and write to the universe. Let your words flow.
Write about whatever moves you at this time and place: ~Write words to remember or let go of ~Write memories to hold dear or finally set free ~Write thoughts that lighten your spirit or haunt you ~Write a letter full of things you wish you had said ~Write a letter to someone you cherish in the now or a loved one passed on.
You will know ...
When your time is right focus and burn (in a fire-safe place) the paper visualizing the smoke carrying it away to the spirits. Call on them to keep it in your heart or release the negativity.
Embrace the flames of change ~ let your spirit soar!
MATCHBOOK MIRACLES
MATCHBOOK MIRACLES Cabinet of Curiosity performed at Horatio N. May Chapel Rosehill Cemetery.
J. Notes On Becoming a Joyful Person YOU Three young men fishing for Blackfish under the full moon ARE A Bagging the groceries when all of the others have disappeared JOYFUL Listening to a curious soul saying take your time to look PERSON Finding each other by chance on a busy street in the biggest city.
GUERILLA ART
URBAN SHRINES offered as unexpected surprises for curious wanderers. Shrines were installed in trees aling the Chicago 606 and various Illinois Forest Preserves. Pop up installations can be found in Chicago Industrial and Residential areas along fences and poles.
