The Bellamy Mansion hosts a wonderful event every year where designers, florists, and artisans are invited to design a table or mantle. Lots of local artists come out in support of the mansion and put together a design based on their chosen theme or concept. This year I was given one of the mantles in the upstairs room and decided to pay homage to Mary Cassatt. The following was the description that accompanied the mantle:
For women, it seems that the struggle between a domestic life and an artistic one has been ever present—that giving fully to one is to sacrifice, in part, the other. Mary Cassatt chose the artistic, never marrying or having children of her own. But her work focused on the home and family, and she painted them with the gentlest of hands. Mary gave voice to very life from which she refrained, and in doing so transformed the domestic into the artistic.
It seems fitting then that her work be displayed in such a way, over the hearth—the heart of the home. The fireplace, here, has become the intersection of these two spheres; a representation of the domestic and also an exhibition for the artistic. Perhaps in Mary’s work, we can witness not only the artistry of the domestic life, but also begin to view art itself as a medium for domestic expression.
For women, it seems that the struggle between a domestic life and an artistic one has been ever present—that giving fully to one is to sacrifice, in part, the other. Mary Cassatt chose the artistic, never marrying or having children of her own. But her work focused on the home and family, and she painted them with the gentlest of hands. Mary gave voice to very life from which she refrained, and in doing so transformed the domestic into the artistic.
It seems fitting then that her work be displayed in such a way, over the hearth—the heart of the home. The fireplace, here, has become the intersection of these two spheres; a representation of the domestic and also an exhibition for the artistic. Perhaps in Mary’s work, we can witness not only the artistry of the domestic life, but also begin to view art itself as a medium for domestic expression.
And the left side to the domestic.
The centerpiece of the mantle was on old printing press drawer filled with domestic and artistic items.
I borrowed most of my props for the mantle from two wonderful friends who just happen to be highly artistic women and amazing mothers. I did not realize the connection until I had finished and saw that the mantle was as much about them now, living those roles, as it was about Mary Cassatt.
I borrowed most of my props for the mantle from two wonderful friends who just happen to be highly artistic women and amazing mothers. I did not realize the connection until I had finished and saw that the mantle was as much about them now, living those roles, as it was about Mary Cassatt.
