ARTIST STATEMENT
I have been startled by our government leaders’ loud and blatant hate calls against brown people and women. These public displays of prejudice and animosity are not only alarming but also highlight the ongoing challenges faced by marginalized groups in our society.
In Cat’s Cradle, a mother and daughter seem to engage in a silent game, their lips literally stitched shut. Despite this enforced silence, the mother imparts a vital lesson: women will always find ways to communicate, regardless of the attempts to suppress them. This powerful imagery serves as a metaphor for resilience and determination in the face of oppression.
Today, in the United States and around the world, men pound their fists and continue their efforts to oppress and silence women, resorting to force and intimidation. However, the unwavering spirit of women persists. We cannot and will not be silenced. Our voices, whether spoken or unspoken, remain a testament to our strength and enduring presence.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Jennifer Taylor was born in Paris, France, to a French mother and an American father who served in the Navy. She spent her formative years in northern Wisconsin.
Jennifer Taylor has a degree in Theatre Arts and is professionally known as Jennifer Joan Taylor. Her acting career includes appearances on stage, in commercials, films, and television productions such as The Edge of Night, Chicago Fire, Empire, and Dark Matter.
In 1983, while residing in New York, Ms. Taylor began drawing after receiving a sketch pad and oil pastels from her husband, Garry Henderson. Subsequently, upon moving to Los Angeles, she transitioned to painting with oil on canvas.
After the birth of their son, the family relocated to Chicago in 1990 and following the arrival of their daughter, they moved to Riverside, Illinois, where they helped establish the Riverside Arts Center.
In 2015, they moved to Gary, Indiana, attracted by the Lake Michigan beach dunes and the Miller Beach community. In 2019, Jennifer Taylor acquired an abandoned house and adjacent lot, transforming them into a private art studio/residence and public garden. It is known as The Sparkle House.
© Jennifer Taylor