downtown center art gallery, pomona, ca
For this solo exhibition, photographs were mounted in unadorned 8” x 10” black frames to draw viewers in close. The subjects' statements are meant to be read with their photographs so they were printed beneath them. Exhibiting 59 photographs showed us the power of the photographs and statements when experienced as a whole.
exhibit review
photography exhibition celebrates
the feminine face
of the sacred hand
"The hands are worth a thousand words."
exhibit review
photography exhibition celebrates
the feminine face
of the sacred hand
"The hands are worth a thousand words."
A new photographic exhibition at the Cal Poly Pomona Downtown Center in the Pomona Arts Colony celebrates the extraordinary spirit of ordinary women. BLESSED ARE THESE HANDS inspired by a poem from the book "Earth Prayers," tells the stories of 59 everyday subjects, whose ages range from 4 to 80. Artists Marvelle Thompson and Susan Kullmann explore spirituality, fertility, power, nature, family and love through the hands of women holding symbols of what they consider sacred or holy.
The collection features photographs of the hands of girls, young and old women holding objects that are an outward expression of their deepest self–a butterfly, a strand of beads, a gold statue of Lord Ganesha, seashells, stones, animals, even dirt.
Each photograph is accompanied by short stories, remarks or poems that personalize and enhance each picture. A piece called "Helen T" captures the wrinkled hands of an old woman holding an egg. "After almost three decades of living on a chicken ranch, I couldn't begin to count the eggs I've handled," Helen, Marvelle's late mother-in-law, writes. "I even had to collect and grade eggs on the morning of my wedding. Poached eggs on toast is my very favorite egg dish."
"Casey R" shows a young woman's hands resting on an exercise bike. "Cycling is an outward expression of the inner strength I did not know I possessed," San Bernardino-based spinning instructor Casey R. writes. "My hands are the final action of an internal decision to push myself beyond my comfort zone."
Each woman's hands are unique -- artistic statements in themselves. Whether they are worn, cracked, manicured or youthful, each pair of hands echo the stages of a woman's life, what Thompson calls the "maiden, mother, crone cycle." Thompson hopes viewers will appreciate the beauty and variety of women and what they give us on a daily basis. "These hands are so indicative of their deepness, their compassion, everything," she said.
Read full exhibition review by Jennifer Cho Salaff, Inland Daily Bulletin, March 12, 2005 here.
