WISHES
WHILE TRAVELING in Turkey, I visited the small stone home where Jesus's mother Mary is reputed to have lived out the rest of her life after the crucifixion. From a distance, as I approached, I saw what I thought was a beautiful piece of contemporary art. But, as I got closer, I realized it was actually thousands of bits of Klennex, snack bar napkins, bus tickets, and tears of clothing upon which people had penned personal wishes and prayers then knotted to a fence. I took photos of the fence, blew them up, and began painting on them, adding my own marks, draping ribbons that viewers might be inclined to knot or tie themselves. It's strangely satisfying working on these images because you get the sense that the wishes are being heard. Even answered somehow.
