Oil on canvas
103 x 123 cm
"A NEW MARY LOU"
If I was to articulate what a home should feel like it would be comfortable, safe and warm. I wanted to create a painting that felt like home, painting a floral fabric and carved wood mothers hood resembling a couch. Her cloak forms the shape of a heart, representing love and the ability to shoulder responsibility. An abacus-like beaded necklace is worn to say she is a teacher to her young. The central focus of this piece is a Mary Lou doll that forms part of the necklace. She is colourful and fun, but is not quite like the Mary Lou we remember - almost robotic or dressed to fly to the moon, she represents the future and that our old familiar ways are changing.
Some of the beads have gibberish coding from A.I. but some letters appear to form messages such as B.U. (be yourself). L.O.V.E M.Um suggests the doll is a gift that is symbolic of encouraging her child to move with changing technology and embrace opportunity.
The homing pigeon on her shoulder has returned - unable to resist the comfort and pull of home.
