Existing comment:
The Gift
Ruth Weisberg born 1942
Ruth Weisberg infuses her paintings and prints with autobiographical references, and women's roles and family relationships are consistent themes. Even in a self-portrait like this one, she functions, as one colleague has noted, "as Everywoman, who plays the role of guide to our memories, dreams, fears and aspirations." Weisberg's lithograph derived from photographs and videos of a 1975 performance piece, also entitled The Gift, in which she danced on stage in front of a video of toddlers-including her own daughter-at a birthday party. The gift of the title is mutual: her gift of life to her child is returned with the many benefits of parenthood. But as she reaches out to the children, one senses the bittersweet implication that her attempt at generational connection is futile. The mother will never touch the child of the film who frolics behind her in such proximity.
1975 |