An Artist's Idea: 

The "Wrapped" triptych turned into a very different set of images than I started to create.  In the "Testing" work, I shared that the covering of my mouth and nose is a very real, albeit irrational, fear.  Well, not so irrational, as I know it's source, and it's not a fear that I'll live without any time soon.  With this in mind, the original idea was to wrap myself in multiple scarves, with only my mouth and nose exposed.  It was meant to speak to my attempts to allay others fears as best I can in this 2020 covid world, while dealing with my own, failing, and as a result, being immobilized, isolated, and hiding out of respect for other's realities.

This idea morphed when I touched the wine colored one that ended up being used in this work.  It is an antique now.  I purchased it when I was young and it was new.  It has decorated my home at various times as I grew.  Now fragile, and at every touch tearing, the color and age lends significance to the symbology hidden in these images.

Red typically means danger and power.  The fact that it is more burgundy adds a societal touch.  Recent cultural norms have increased our fear, but also provided the message to imbibe more to deal with the pressures we're facing.  Rather than confronting and questioning these pressures, we're encouraged to relax and allow others to tell us what's best.  Anyone who challenges these norms is a danger to be feared.  We wrap ourselves in our preferred messaging conduit, allowing the voices that most agree with our own embrace us like a comforter, no matter how up to the job they are.

Inherent in the antiquity of the scarf, is the thought that the ideas and beliefs we've used to insulate our lives, can become fragile when brought out of the shadowed safeness into the light of day.  We use these ideas to find protection while trying to meet the expectations screaming at us, even when they no longer offer the strength they once did.  There are times old beliefs should fall away to open up space for growth and expansion.

You'll find a couple of other subtle touches.  One of these is the light.  Light from below is by design, unsettling.  For this work, it lends to the idea the subject is facing and battling something unnerving.

Lastly, it is the number of images where the hope truly lies.  As one brought up in the Catholic faith, though no longer an observer, the number three took on significance.  As in other traditions, it is a sacred number, representing the Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  This idea transmuted for me.  When "crossing" ourselves, our head, heart and shoulders are touched.  Each of these represent a piece of the Trinity.  For me, the idea changed to the concept that the Father more truly represents our thoughts and ideas.  The Son is where our hopes and love lie, and how we choose to live.  The Holy Spirit is the action we must take to put these things in action in our lives.  The unity of all three is where our power and support lie.

The combination of how these are implemented in our lives is the way the world we create is manifested.  What ideas do we hold to, why and what do we put in action?  Are we treating each other as we wish to be treated, even if they disagree with us, or can't live up to our idea of what's right?  Do we share ideas in scary ways or do we try to bring light where there is fear?  Do we shame those who fear, or do we err on the side of kindness.

The hope of this work is to know most are doing the best they can.  Ideas and fears can be fragile things, but not always easy from which to unwrap ourselves.  Not everything we perceive is as it seems.  It is crucial to view things from a different angle.  Put the number three to work in our lives: thought, heart and the will to make a difference for everyone, not just those who believe as you do.