ARTIST STATEMENT
Invisibility
When I was a child and a teenager, we had a beautiful black rotary Bakelite phone. It sat in the entry way on an antique dresser, near a nineteen-century marble and brass lamp. It was used sparingly in the beginning, but later I spent evenings in my dad’s study, with the cord over stretched and the door closed, in secret conversation with my boyfriend.
Nowadays, few people remember using them. All those dear things, home appliances, frescoes in train stations, sounds of bells, school uniforms, subway smells, that I cherish are fading from memory. Age is isolating. Our history becomes invisible because it is unshared. In my work I bring into view objects and moments that are overlooked. This teapot and cups are decorated with our nineteen sixties telephone. I added in gold, a portrait of my mother with her set hairdo.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Anne attended the Ecole Superieure d’Arts Graphiques Penninghen in Paris. She received her Master’s Degree in Art History from the Sorbonne and her PhD from Northwestern University. She works in a variety of media, ceramics, printmaking, fiber art, and writing at her home and in local studios. Anne draws inspiration from her encounters with people, books, objects, landscapes, events and passing thoughts.
© Anne Bernard-Pattis