ARTIST STATEMENT
A Seed, A Tree, A Kite, A Tale
Dedicated to the Palestinian people, in the hope that their humanity may be seen and treasured, and that the day will come when they will be free to live, to love, and to thrive as equal to all other human beings on earth.
Black Cumin (Nigella sativa), known as the “Blessed Seed,” is native herb to the Mediterranean region used for food/medicine. This delicate, beautiful flower represents to me what I’ve learned of the spirit of the Palestinian people. Reports by doctors returning from Gaza speak of their admiration for their strength, generosity, and resilience in spite of the ongoing bombardments and horrific atrocities inflicted on them. They remain steadfast and hopeful.
The uprooting of Olive Trees planted by Palestinian elders is a tragic loss. The trees not only connect the people to their native land and heritage; they also depend on the trees for sustenance.
A Kite and a Tale are words from a poem that Refaat Alareer, a dedicated poet and writer wrote in 2011, titled “If I Must Die.” As a professor, he taught “his students to write their stories about life under occupation. . . if they could see the magnificent beauty of our souls, they might love us. . . He also wanted to make sure our lives would be recorded despite rampant efforts to erase our presence in the world.” On Dec. 7, 2023, Refaat was killed in an Israeli bombing.
Quotations: If I Must Die: Poetry and Prose
ABOUT THE ARTIST
I am a Chicago-based ceramic sculptor and retired art educator. My work has focused on both large-scale public art projects and smaller-scale ceramic artworks that often address social issues and political events. My intention is to confront viewers with unsettling content that evokes an uncomfortable emotional response through constructing visually appealing objects that address timely social concerns, both local and global. A number of my public and gallery installations have also responded to national events. My purpose is to provoke discussions and to foster a dialogue among diverse groups of people.
© Marjorie Woodruff