The Project/exhibit
Limbo: An uncertain period of awaiting a decision or resolution: an intermediate state or condition. State of neglect or oblivion. Waiting for people to decide what to do.
‘Limbo’ is largely a journal, on-going since 2006, in which I describe my Mother’s life after the death of her husband, my Father. My Mother’s grief is coupled with a diagnosis of ‘probable Alzheimer’s. Her story, and mine, is told through texts, photographs and film.
For the exhibition, ‘War’ at the Danielle Arnaud Gallery in July 2011, I extrapolated elements from the larger journal, combining these with photographs depicting the effects of Prurigo Nodularis, an extreme inflammatory skin condition which afflicted my Mother.
This condition was extremely resilent and unbearably irritating and seemed to have been borne in the period of my Father’s death. The images of my Mother’s back are for me, visual representations of her extreme sorrow.
My piece for ‘War’ I entitled ‘Raw’ . I felt that my Mother had been at war with herself and others all her life, her emotions almost overwhelming. My Father had, with great compassion and deep love, helped her manage. Now she was alone. Lost. In limbo.
Invitation to ‘War’ curated by Gerry Smith for the Danielle Arnaud Gallery, July 2011
A quote from my Mother from ‘Limbo’
Gone x 2
From ‘War’/’Raw’
Sorrow x 3
All images and text: Sandra Cross, 2006-
‘For M’ limited edition print
Stills from ‘Anonymous’ a film by William English
The Gallery at LCB
Gerry resting after installation
Some out-takes from the journal ‘Limbo’
‘Sands of Time’ the weeds which grew in my Mother’s garden
‘Father Time’ Grandfather’s Grandfather clock mounted on A0 photographic print
‘The Lonely Tree’ print mounted on A0 photographic print
‘Teddy in Chains’ chains, keyrings, keys, teddy bears
‘Year after Year’ A0 photographic print with ‘Home Care’ play spoken by Sandra Cross attached
Gallery view of the “Whirligig of Time’
‘Day In and Day Out’ A0 photographic print
‘Morning Noon and Night’ A0 photographic print
‘Evening’ A0 photographic print
Images from the ‘Whirligig of Time’ series of twin colour photographic card mounted prints
Close-up from ‘Sands of Time’
‘Home Care’ a recording read by Sandra Cross and broadcast on William English’s programme ‘Wavelength’ William English (click on Radio choose 2014 ‘Home Care’ 18th July 2014)