Walking on Eggshells

LIFE-SIZED CHILDREN’S CLOTHING - MIXED MEDIA - COTTON, SILK. EGGSHELLS. ELECTRIC LIGHT

The creation of these pieces allowed me to poke around in my soul and personal history, looking for answers, clarity, and some healing of the childhood trauma I endured at the hands of my parents. Mom had childhood trauma of her own and severe mental health issues. She struggled to keep above the fear, depression, and overwhelm of her eight children, my father's single working-class paycheck, her mid-century idealism, and the weight of her religious and politically extreme conservatism. I never knew when the ground under my feet would give way, and Mom and her world would literally come crashing down around me. The trauma made me hypervigilant, watching for danger to appear at any time, and so I managed by learning to "walk on eggshells." As an adult, I've looked for ways to reconcile the challenges of loving parents with their life trials and find a way home to a safe and stable platform for the rest of my life to play out.

Another thing that got me through such a challenging childhood was some of the supporting people in my life, including my paternal grandparents, a few caring teachers, and some of my close friends and their parents. I've found myself collecting one of the primary materials of these pieces – eggshells – from friends and family because it's taken such a surprising number of eggshells to make each piece. It's hard to imagine overcoming all life's challenges without others' help. Thanks to those who've helped me to smooth off the edges of my fears and make the world a more comfortable, supportive, and creative place to live.
Image credit (at the top of this webpage) - Second Floor Media.