NOTE: This post contains sculptures and photography depicting nudity in an artistic form. Viewer discretion is recommended
LADY IN WHITE......
I came to the US as a young child and really can't remember much about Cuba. Through my sister, Pally, who did not have the chance to immigrate with us early in the 60's, I have learned much about the country I was born in, before and after. Because of numerous government screw ups including and not limited to loosing her application for permission to leave the country, my sister got to experience much of the terrible heartache of being a young bride away from her family, having her first child without our mom by her side and the unbearable hungry nights and brutal experiences of the newly formed communist dictatorship. Hence, she would be forced to remain there until the end of that decade when all efforts by my parents to pull her out of there, finally paid off. Of course at 9 years of age I was clueless of what was going on around me.
Later in life I would sit and listen to her tell a few of those horrible stories and it would actually shrink my heart. Most people cannot relate to why she is so passionate about Cuba even after more than 50 years but I would suggest to you that it would be difficult to sit with her for an hour listening to her stories and remain judgmental and uncompassionate.
This is why when she asked if I would make a doll for her that would represent oppression, liberty, silently suffering and all those emotions put into one as in for instance the Ladies in White, I thought to myself it would be an impossible task but I would certainly try!
She decided the theme would be Ladies in White and gave me a general idea of what her interpretation of the art doll would be.
Here is a bit of background on the subject.
The Ladies in White as defined by Wikipedia
Ladies in White (Spanish: Damas de Blanco) is an opposition movement in Cuba founded in 2003 by wives and other female relatives of jailed dissidents. The women protest the imprisonments by attending Mass each Sunday wearing white dresses and then silently walking through the streets dressed in white clothing. The color white is chosen to symbolize peace.
You can read more about it here.....
The doll was completely designed by her including the way I painted the flag. Each step in the process was approved by her and her instructions were followed by me as closely as I could. I am happy I was able to capture the essence of what she wanted in Dama De Blanco.
Here are the pictures throughout the process.
Her head, breast, chest, arms and legs are made from Polymer Clay, the body is armature wire covered with cloth.
 Trying on the Fabric  |
Hair??? |
 |
| Painting the Face, not too much make up |
Completed Art Doll, Front and Back
 |
| Close up |
 |
| From her side |
 |
Tears in Eyes..... |
