Variable size

100 Handmade dolls each 12" tall        

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    “The Responders” was inspired by Egyptian Ushebtis (or Shabtis), which were funerary servant figures representing the deceased and usually mummiform in shape. The hieroglyphs on the figures are from the Book of the Dead and include, “I shall do it, here I am.” As an agricultural community, ancient Egyptians believed that in the afterlife a person would be expected to carry out the same daily work they did in life, so the Ushebtis were buried alongside to fulfill that need.

     Overlaying that idea with the 20th century woman/wife figure, I am grateful that this is not part of my culture’s belief system – performing all of those tasks day in and day out during just one lifetime is definitely enough! – and yet I believe that we are still in a culture in which women are primarily considered caretakers. Do we continue to stand there, ready to serve again? Hopefully, as women, we are beginning to realize that our place in this world includes serving ourselves as well as others.

      This piece was constructed entirely through the use of re-purposed and recycled fabric, cardboard and small found items.

      This piece was featured in KC Studio Online Reviews, which can be found here.