KEN ON HIS WORK
Photo courtesy of Webb Gallery
Useless Ulysses
1985. Glass, Metal Flake, plastic and acrylic on cotton canvas. He has had additions that make him 30” long like the Dark Mother
Ulysses is a symbol for those services that are typified by cooks, nurses, sanitation, and yard work. His symbol is the chain.
Ulysses is also blind, speechless and hard of hearing—again only what the mermaid allows.
The Dark Mother and Ulysses were made from homemade dolls and constructed of a series of cylinders. One for the head, one for the body, two for the arms, two for the legs, and two for the feet. I have wrapped them in such a manner that they have elbows, knees, necks, etc.
Useless has been castrated and the Dark Mother has had her breast removed.
When I did these last series of dolls I had definite people in mind but realized they were all me and that I had just projected my problems on others around me.
They have done a lot to give me mobility and more breathing space.
BLACK SPIRAL POT
1972, Inspired by Caddo Indian water bottles. The spiral was a favorite motif of theirs. Actually the oldest motif common to all primitive ceramics.
Photo courtesy of Webb Gallery
Mer Moon Maid
1985. Glass, metallic thread, metal flake, crystal, mother of pearl, acrylic on cotton canvas. 28” tall
Mer is the first object I did after leaving North Texas.
As are all the dolls, she is a self portrait.
I wanted an image that existed equally in the spiritual and material world, and since the mermaid is a land and water being, I took her as a springboard.
Since that time there has been some kind of love affair going on with her and my work. Of course she is a symbol for the deep subconscious.
Photo courtesy of Adrian Anderson
Ever Ready Eddie
1985. Glass, metal flake, acrylic paint on cotton canvas. 8” tall
I do not construct doll forms. I buy them already made. Self 2 was a gingerbread man, Mer was a Dolly Parton doll. Ever Ready Eddie was a Pierrot doll.
Ever Ready was Mer’s PR man; he takes care of things, carries messages, a sort of go between. Ready Killowat is a prototype for him. Lots of energy even it it’s sometimes miss directed.
Photo courtesy of Webb Gallery