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The Language Transcripts
Figge Art Museum installation, 2021
Cover:
WILd-Dēor-Nis, 2021
Acrylic paint on cotton fabric
60 x 60 in. | 152.4 x 152.4 cm.
The word “Wilderness,” Wild-Deor-Nis in the original Norse, derives from the words for wild and deer. Lesley Dill’s
Wilderness is a history told in richly embroidered garments and in wall-spanning banners. It begins when immigrants from
England were establishing settlements on the northeast coast of colonial America—a land that to them was alien and
uncivilized. Of course, for Native Americans, the forests were home. For the white European settlers trying to conquer
them and take their lands, the forests were fearsome.
Lesley Dill, Wilderness: Light Sizzles Around Me
May 29-August 22, 2021 at the Figge Art Museum
Presentation at the Figge made possible by:
Premier: Humanities Iowa and the National Endowment for the Humanities
Supporting: John K. Figge Family in memory of Mrs. Jean Nobis
Contributing: Carolyn Levine & Leonard Kallio Trust; Linda and J. Randolph Lewis
225 West Second Street
Davenport, Iowa
www.figgeartmuseum.org
Wilderness: Light Sizzles Around Me
16 HISTORICAL FIGURES
Anne Hutchinson 1591-1643
Mary Rowlandson 1637-1711
Edward Taylor 1642-1729
Jonathan Edwards 1703-1758
Mother Ann Lee 1736-1784
& Heavenly Mother Ann Lee (fictional)
Black Hawk 1767-1838
Sojourner Truth 1797-1883
Dred Scott 1799-1858
John Brown 1800-1859
Nathaniel Hawthorne 1804-1864
& Hester (fictional) 1850
Walt Whitman 1819-1892
Emily Dickinson 1830-1886
Horace Pippin 1888-1946
Sister Gertrude Morgan 1900-1980
Wilderness: Light Sizzles Around Me features a uniquely inspired group of sculptures and two-dimensional
works more than a decade in the making. The exhibition represents Dill’s ongoing investigation into
the significant voices and personas of America’s past. For Dill, the “American” voice grew from early
America’s obsessions with divinity and deviltry, on fears of the wilderness “out there” and wilderness
inside us. The extremes of both shaped history and gave pulse and heat to the words of activists like
John Brown, Sojourner Truth, Mother Ann Lee, and Dred Scott. Dill writes: “These personas and their
times stir something deep in my own family history and sense of self. I am compelled to explore this
period in America’s history when limited access to a diversity of written word ignited the bravery of
these figures in response to their times.”
1
Anne Hutchinson 1591-1643
Anne Hutchinson Banner Set, 2021
Acrylic paint on cotton fabric
Story Banner: 36 x 144 in. | 91.5 x 365.8 cm.
Name Banner: 12 x 70 in. | 30.5 x 177.8 cm.
Date Banner: 6 x 22 in. | 15.3 x 55.9 cm.
BANNER SET LANGUAGE
Date: 1591-1643
Name: Anne Hutchinson
Story: This Private Ghospell This Private Ghospell this private ghospell
Have I true Grace? grace
So, as to me an immediate ~~~~Revelation By the Voice of His own Spirit to
my Soul the Lord (Anne Hutchinson)
Mystic Participant
1637 Trial: “This American Jezebel!!”
Seeing- - Flewentness of Her Tungue & Her Willingness to Open Herself-
& to Divulge Opinions & to Sow Her Seed in Us- She Had Rather Been A
Husbande - - -Than A - - - Wife - - - & a Preacher than a Hearer ---------!!!!
(John Winthrop and Joseph Cotton)
FLEWENTNESS OF TONGUE (ANNE HUTCHINSON) LANGUAGE,
FRONT AND BACK
THIS PRIVATE GHOSPELL (John Donne)
Elixiarlike Enquiring of that Mystique - - Who Vagrant Transiting
Comets See – A new star is a Miracle- for that no new things are (John Donne)
I THOUGHT It SOME APOSTLESHIP IN MEE (John Donne) TO SPEAKE
Things which FAITHE ALONE I see. (John Donne) As if Pure Spirit
Poured into us like Rain – that thing called SOUL Sprouts &
Branches of ILLUSION. (Tom Sleigh)
Flewentness of Tongue SHE HAD ALL MAGNETIC FORCE ALONE. – I SING the progress
(Anne Hutchinson), 2017
Thread on fabric, wooden yoke, and shoe lasts Of a Deathless Soule Sucks Early Balm (John Donne) – so subtly nobody
105 x 41.5 x 4 in. | 266.7 x 105.4 x 10.2 cm. Can see – only sense that Quaking – until you feel it upsetting
some Delicate Balance - - TIPPING – gone suddenly too far –
tumbling over & over (Tom Sleigh)
Have I True GRACE? (Anne Hutchinson) What dismal severity of the
Puritanical code of law (Nathaniel Hawthorne)
Those were the days when every morning God woke up in a
BLUR of ECSTASY & went to bed every night in Divine Rage –
2
Whoever loved him he loved - - whoever hated him – he hated
back – for who can doubt the Vitality of Hate or the Volatility of
Love. (Tom Sleigh)
1637 ANNE HUTCHINSON is PRESENT (transcript) 46 years old 15
Children Woman not muted Her Crime – Series of
Conventicals to Discuss Scripture FAITH Over Works –
REVELATION – BY THE VOICE OF HIS OWN SPIRIT TO MY
SOULE – so as to me an Immediate REVELATION (Anne Hutchinson) The Lord
did Reveal Himselfe to mee sitting upon a throne of Justice & all the worlde
Appearing before him (Anne Hutchinson)
THIS AMERICAN JEZEBEL (John Winthrop) – Seeing the Flewentnesse of her
Tungue & her Willingness to Open herselfe & to Divulge
Opinions & to Sow her Seed in us
Mystic Participant (Anne Hutchinson), 2017
& so your Opinions Fret like Gangrene & Spread like Leprosy & Oil pastel, thread, and paper on Tyvek backed fabric
Infect far & near - - - - She had rather bine a husbande than a 82.5 x 59.5 in. | 209.6 x 151.1 cm.
wife & a preacher than a hearer & a magistrate than a subjecte
-- I account her a VERY DANGEROUS WOMAN. As a woman
in 1637 she had no Voice, no Publick role. (John Winthrop and Joseph Cotton)
Antinomianism Law of GRACE - - - MYSTIC PARTICIPANT. She
continued in the wildnerness as Yet she was A WILD heart at
the Word Shatters scriptural configuration (Joseph Cotton)
HERESY BANISHMENT EXCOMUNICATION
MYSTIC PARTICIPANT LANGUAGE
Anne Hutchinson Mystic Participant
As to me an immediate revelation (Anne Hutchinson)
Grace ... (Anne Hutchinson)
American Jezebel A Very Dangerous Woman Anne Hutchinson, 2018
Thread embroidery on linen
Seeing the Flewentness of her Tongue & Her Willingness to Open Herself & 15 x 12 in. | 37.6 x 29.9 cm.
Divulge Opinions & to Sow her Seed in Us—fret like gangrene & spread like
Leprosy – She had rather bine a Husbande than a wife & a Preacher than a
Hearer 1637
(John Winthrop and Joseph Cotton)
ANNE HUTCHINSON LANGUAGE
Anne Hutchinson So subtly Nobody can see Only Sense that Quaking Until
you feel it upsetting Some delicate balance Tipping
(Tom Sleigh)
ANNE HUTCHINSON LANGUAGE
Anne Hutchinson Mystic Participant MYSTIC PARTICIPANT.
She continued in the wilderness as Yet she was A WILD heart at the Word
Shatters scriptural configuration
(Joseph Cotton) Anne Hutchinson, 2018
Ink and thread on fabric
19 x 5.5 x 1 in. | 48.3 x 14 x 2.5 cm.
3
Mary Rowlandson 1637-1711
Mary Rowlandson Banner Set, 2021
Acrylic paint on cotton fabric
Story Banner: 36 x 144 in. | 91.5 x 365.8 cm.
Name Banner: 12 x 62.5 in. | 30.5 x 158.8 cm.
Date Banner: 6 x 22 in. | 15.3 x 55.9 cm.
BANNER SET LANGUAGE
A True History Of the Captivity & Restoration of Mrs Mary Rowlandson written
by her Own Hand
10 February 1675 Came the Narragansett with great numbers & Beset our Own
House - -Quickly! It was the dolefullest Day that Ever Mine Eyes Saw – Like
Sheep torn by Wolves—stripped naked by Hellhounds – Roaring – Singing-
Oh Lively Resemblance of Hell into Vast & Distant
Ranting - & Insulting. Vast Howling Wilderness—My Master Quinnapin was a
Sagamore – one of the Indians gave me a Bible from Plunder - -Not One of
the Indians offered the Least Miscarriage to Me – They Killed a Deer with a
Young One in Her – so young & tender One might eat the Bones – now it was
Savory to Me—that one would Think enough to Turn the Stomach of a Brute
Creature. Affliction I wanted & Affliction I had. I have Learned to Look Beyond
Present & Smaller Troubles. Wilderness 1675 (Mary Rowlandson)
HOWLING WILDERNESS (MARY ROWLANDSON) LANGUAGE FRONT
A True History of the captivity & restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson - - A
Minister’s wife in New England. The Cruel & Inhuman Usage that she Underwent
Amongst the Algonquins for 11 weeks & Her Deliverance - - written by her Own
Hand - - - 10 February 1675 Came the Narragansett with great numbers & Beset our
Own House - -Quickly- - It was the Dolefullest Day that Ever Mine Eyes Saw.
Now is the Dreadful Hour Come. The Fire Increasing. I have Learned to look
beyond present and smaller troubles.
Howling Wilderness (Mary Rowlandson), 2017
Horsehair, thread on fabric, wooden yoke, and HOWLING WILDERNESS (MARY ROWLANDSON) LANGUAGE BACK
shoe lasts Like Sheep torn by Wolves. Stripped naked by Hellhounds – Roaring – Singing -
103.5 x 34.5 x 5 in. | 262.9 x 87.7 x 12.7 cm.
Ranting & Insulting. Vast Howling Wilderness.
My Master Quinnapin was a Sagamore. I entreated the Lord a Token for Good - -
One of the Indians gave me a Bible from Plunder. Not one of the Indians offered the
Least Miscarriage to Me. - - They Killed a Deer with a Young One in Her. So young
& tender One might eat the Bones. Now it was Savory to Me — that one
(Mary Rowlandson)
4
WRITTEN BY HER OWN HAND (MARY ROWLANDSON) LANGUAGE
Date: 1637- J 1711
Name: Mary Rowlandson
Story: A True History of the Captivity & RestorationJ--- WrittenJby Her
Own Hand!
Mrs. Mary Rowlandson J J
A Minister’s Wife in New England 11 weeks Amongst the Narragansett
Not one Indian offered me the Least Miscarriage or abuse
My Master Quinnapin was a Sagamore
Affliction I ~ wanted ~! & Affliction I had!
Vast Howling Wilderness (Mary Rowlandson)
MARY ROWLANDSON: THE HISTORY LANGUAGE
Vast howling Wilderness
A true history
Mrs. Mary Rowlandson 1675
(Mary Rowlandson)
MARY ROWLANDSON: THE HISTORY 1675 LANGUAGE
Vast Howling Wilderness
History of captivity
Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson
(Mary Rowlandson)
Written by Her Own Hand (Mary Rowlandson), 2017 Howling Wilderness (Mary Rowlandson), 2018 Mary Rowlandson: The History 1675,
Oil pastel, thread, and paper on Tyvek backed Ink, paper, and thread on fabric 2018
fabric 14 x 11 in. | 35.6 x 27.9 cm. Thread on fabric with balsa wood
82.5 x 59.5 in. | 209.6 x 151.1 cm. 12 x 5.5 x 1 in. | 30.5 x 14 x 2.5 cm.
5
Edward Taylor 1642-1729
Edward Taylor Banner Set, 2021
Acrylic paint and hand-cut paper on cotton fabric
Story Banner: 36 x 132 in. | 91.5 x 335.3 cm.
Name Banner: 12 x 67 in. | 30.5 x 170.2 cm.
Date Banner: 6 x 22 in. | 15.3 x 55.9 cm.
BANNER SET LANGUAGE
Date: 1642-------1729
Name: Edward Taylor
Story: Puritan Minister Private Poetic Diary
Upon A Wasp Chill’d with Cold the Bear that Breathes the - Northern Blast - -
-Did Numb - - torpedo – like- A- WASP J Whose StiffendJLimbs Encramp’t
J Lay Bath—ing in the Sun in Great Desire Where Pulse- Doth J J Beate-
‘Till I enravished Climb intoJ J Heavenly Music!
NORTHERN BLAST (EDWARD TAYLOR) LANGUAGE FRONT
Upon a Wasp Chilld with Cold
The bare that breaths the Northern blast –
Did numb, Torpedo like, a Wasp
– whose stiffend limbs encrampt, lay bathing …..
In Sol’s warm Breath and Shine as Saving,
Which with her hands she chafes and stands
Rubbing her Legs, Shanks, Thighs, and hands.
Her petty toes, and fingers ends
Nipt with this breath, she out extends
Unto the Sun, in Great Desire
To warm her digits at that fire.
Doth hold her Temples in this state
where Pulse doth Beate, and Head doth ake.
Doth turn, and stretch her body small.
Doth comb her velvet Capitall.
As if her little brain pan were
A Volume of Choice precepts cleare
As if her sattin jacket hot
Contained Apothecaries Shop
Of Natures recepts, that prevails
To remedy all her sad ailes,
6
As if her velvet helmet high
Did turret rationality.
She fans her wing up to the Winde
As if her Pettycoate were lin’de,
With reasons fleece, and hoises sails
And hu’ming flies in thankfull gails
Unto her dun Curld palace Hall
Her warm thanks offering for all.
Lord cleare my misted sight that I
May hence view thy Divinity.
NORTHERN BLAST (EDWARD TAYLOR) LANGUAGE WHITE SHIRT
[Poem repeated]
NORTHERN BLAST (EDWARD TAYLOR) LANGUAGE BACK
Some sparkes whereof thou up dost hasp
Within this little downy Wasp
In whose small Corporation wee
A school and a schoolmaster see
Where we may learn, and easily finde
A nimble Spirit bravely minde
Her worke in e’ry limb: and lace
It up neate with a vital grace,
Acting each part though ne’er so small
Here of this Fustian animall.
Till I enravisht Climb into
The Godhead on this Lather doe.
Where all my pipes inspir’de upraise
An Heavenly musick furrd with praise. [End of poem]
Upon a Wasp …
The Bare that breaths the Northern blast
Did numb, Torpedo like, a Wasp
Whose stiffend limbs encrampt, lay
Northern Blast (Edward Taylor), 2017
Bathing Oil pastel, ink, thread on fabric, wooden yoke,
In sol’s warm breath and shine as saving and shoe lasts
Which with her hands she chafes and stands 99 x 23 x 6 in. | 251.5 x 58.4 x 15.2 cm.
Rubbing her Legs, Shanks, Thighs, and hands
Her petty toes, and fingers ends
Nipt with this breath, she out extends
Unto the Sun, in greate desire
(Edward Taylor)
7
Jonathan Edwards 1703-1758
Jonathan Edwards Banner Set, 2021
Acrylic paint and hand-cut paper on cotton fabric
Story Banner: 36 x 144 in. | 91.5 x 365.8 cm.
Name Banner: 12 x 76 in. | 30.5 x 193.1 cm.
Date Banner: 6 x 22 in. | 15.3 x 55.9 cm.
BANNER SET LANGUAGE
Date: 1703----1758
Name: Jonathan Edwards
Story: Light Sizzles Around Me As One holds A Spider
To See the Wonders Wilderness Of the World~
My Soul A Secret Place of My Own in the Woods ~
O!! Sinner! Consider the Fearful Danger! You! are! in!!!
You are Held over the Fire of Wrath by a Slender Thread of the Hand of God!
From Childhood - - I had a Variety of Concerns About My SOUL~~ An inward
Sweet Delight glory!!
(Jonathan Edwards)
SEE’RD (JONATHAN EDWARDS) LANGUAGE FRONT
A Calm Abstraction of Soul From All the Concerns of this World & a kind of
Vision of Being Alone
In some solitary Wilderness-The Appearance of All-Everything was Altered-
There seemed to be
As it were A Calm sweet Divine Glory In Almost Everything- Purity Brightness
Ravishment Rapture- I seem’d often to see So much Light exhibited By
Every Sentence- In reading I used Oftentimes to Dwell
On One Sentence To see the Wonders contained in it- Wilderness of the World
The God that holds you over the Pit of Hell, much as one holds a Spider,
or some loathsome Insect, over the Fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully
provoked, his Wrath towards you burns like Fire: he is of purer Eyes than to
bear to have you in his Sight: you are ten thousand Times so abominable in
his Eyes as the most hateful venomous Serpent is in ours ...provoking his
Pure Eyes
See’rd (Jonathan Edwards), 2017 O Sinner! Consider the fearful Danger you are in: “Tis a great furnace of
Oil pastel, thread on fabric, wooden yoke,
and shoe lasts Wrath, a wide and bottomless Pit, full of the Fire of Wrath, that you are
98 x 24 x 6 in. | 248.9 x 61 x 15.2 cm. held over in the Hand of that God whose Wrath is provoked..You hang by a
slender Thread, with the Flames of Wrath flashing
8From childhood – I had A Variety of Concerns About My Soul- I Experienced I
know not what Delight in Religion-A Secret Place of my Own in the Woods-
The First Time was When I was a Boy-A time Remarkable Awakening- I had
Great & Violent & Inward Struggles –Conflicts-Self Reflections
I made Seeking The main business of my Life An Inward Sweet Delight- As
I read the Words There came into my Soul & was as if Diffused thro’ it
A new sense Quite different from anything I’d experienced before Glory
(Jonathan Edwards)
SEE’RD (JONATHAN EDWARDS) WHITE SHIRT LANGUAGE
Through the curtain Light Sizzles Around Me watching a Spider Dangling in a
Waterfall of Glare - God making me aware of that Light Mumbling to Itself
in Flashes & Glints –Talking to the Spider’s Daredevil – guts belaying down in
the Flickering Fire – I cry out – God who are You – I’m just a Human Spider
- - not a heroic Spider -Man – I’m Circumspect before You & My Web isn’t
my doctrine where flies get stuck IT’S JUST THESE WORDS WHERE WHAT I
CATCH IS ME thinking about You & the real spider - -(Tom Sleigh)
SEE’RD (JONATHAN EDWARDS) LANGUAGE BACK Jonathan Edwards (2018)
Fabric, thread, ink
Portrait of Myself as Jonathan Edwards’ Spider 14 x 9 x 2 in. | 35.6 x 22.9 x 5.1 cm.
Through the curtain Light Sizzles Around Me watching a Spider Dangling in a
Waterfall of Glare - God making me aware of that Light Mumbling to Itself
in Flashes & Glints –Talking to the Spider’s Daredevil – guts belaying down
in the Flickering Fire – I cry out – God who are You? – I’m just a Human
Spider - - not a heroic Spider -Man – I’m Circumspect before You & My Web
isn’t my doctrine where flies get stuck IT’S JUST THESE WORDS WHERE
WHAT I CATCH IS ME thinking about You & the real spider - - Whomever-
you call the sinful - - your Symphony is playing – Your Will (If I believed in
You) we fall again as bird shit in our afterlife Lyre trembling (Tom Sleigh)
Through the curtain Light Sizzles Around Me watching a Spider Dangling in a
Waterfall of Glare
God making me aware of that Light Mumbling to Itself in Flashes & Glints
Talking to the Spider’s Daredevil- guts belaying down in the Flickering Fire –
I cry out—God who are You- ? (Tom Sleigh)
JONATHAN EDWARDS LANGUAGE
Portrait of Myself as Jonathan Edwards’ Spider light sizzles around me --
watching a spider dangling in a waterfall of glare (Tom Sleigh)
9Mother Ann Lee 1736-1784
Mother Ann Lee; The Shakers Banner Set, 2021
Acrylic paint on cotton fabric
Story Banner: 36 x 144 in. | 91.5 x 365.8 cm.
Name Banner: 12 x 87 in. | 30.5 x 221 cm.
Date Banner: 6 x 22 in. | 15.3 x 55.9 cm.
BANNER SET LANGUAGE
Date: 1736-1784
Name: Mother Ann Lee
Story: Shakers
United Society of Believers in Christ’s 2cnd Appearing as Ann Lee
SHAKERS 1747-2021
Testimonie:
I will tell you of a Vision I saw
I saw a Great Gulf – fixed Between God & the world & I had 2 Great Wings
I saw Myself
Given to me & my work was to go up to that Gulf & to Fan it Away & I did – with
my 2 Great wings so that lost souls can come to! God
‘Tis the gift to be simple!
‘Tis the gift to be Free!
‘Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be!
‘And when we find Ourselves in the place just right!
‘Twill be in the Valley of Love & Delight!
‘When true Simplicity is Gained!
‘To bow & Bend we shan’t be ashamed!
‘To Turn Turn Turn will be our Delight!
‘Till by Turning Turning- we come around right!
Thomas Brown 1812 Testimonie: They told me they had some gifts of
Mortification :
To bark like a dog
To crow like a cock
To make noise like a squirrel
To rejoice by laughing
1837 Russel Haskel
Kneeling with their faces to the floor – licking the dust therefrom!
(Shaker Texts)
10MOTHER ANN LEE LANGUAGE FRONT
[Mother Ann Lee’s name in Spirit Writing]
MOTHER ANN LEE LANGUAGE BACK
Mother Ann Lee as the Manifestation of Christ in the female - Ecstatic
I saw the whole tree as the angel held it before me as I ever---- Sister Cohoon
1845---BLAZING TREE ---
saw a natural tree- I felt very curious when I took hold of it lest the blaze
should torch my hand
Mother Ann Lee, 2021
Acrylic paint, hand-cut paper, thread on
cotton fabric, wooden yoke, and shoe lasts
100 x 40 x 4 in. | 254 x 101.6 x 10.2 cm.
Heavenly Mother Ann Lee
HEAVENLY MOTHER ANN LEE LANGUAGE
Heavenly Mother Ann Lee
Heavenly Mother Ann Lee, 2021
Organza, thread, charcoal on ribbon,
and wooden yoke
97 x 27 x 3 in. | 245.5 x 68.6 x 7.6 cm.
11Black Hawk 1767-1838
Black Hawk Banner Set, 2021
Acrylic paint and hand-cut paper on cotton fabric
Story Banner: 36 x 144 in. | 91.5 x 365.8 cm.
Name Banner: 12 x 63 in. | 30.5 x 160 cm.
Date Banner: 6 x 22 in. | 15.3 x 55.9 cm.
BANNER SET LANGUAGE
Date: 1767 J J 1838
Name: Black Hawk
Story: Black Hawk is a True Indian!
Autobiography 1833
He Does not care J J for Himself Alone He Cares for His J J Nation! JHe
Laments their Fate J
* We Told Them To Leave Us Alone - - - But * They Coiled Themselves
*J*Among Us Like the SnakeJ
We Looked Up To The Great Spirit To Avenge Our Wrongs or Die! We dug
up the Tomahawk- & the Heart of Black Hawk Swelled High! I J Fought
Hard - - Bullets flew like Birds in - - the Air - - - like Wind through the Trees
in Winter ~ The Sun Sank In A Dark CloudJLike A Ball Of Fire! The Last
Sun That J Shone on Black Hawk Warrior! Why Did the Great Spirit ever
send the Whites to this island - - to drive Us From OurJ *J Homes & to
introduce Among us Poisonous Liquors & Disease & Death? How Smooth
Must be the LanguageJ*J of the Whites when they can make Right Look
Like Wrong & Wrong Right?????? ……. (Black Hawk)
Black Hawk, Mà-ka-tai-me-she-kià-kiàk, 2021 BLACK HAWK LANGUAGE FRONT
Acrylic paint and hand-cut paper on cotton fabric 1767 J J 1838 Black Hawk Mà-ka-tai-me-she-kià-kiàk
100 x 60 in. | 254 x 152.4 cm.
12Sojourner Truth 1797-1883
Sojourner Truth Banner Set, 2021
Acrylic paint on cotton fabric
Story Banner: 36 x 144 in. | 91.5 x 365.8 cm.
Name Banner: 12 x 110 in. | 30.5 x 279.4 cm.
Date Banner: 6 x 22 in. | 15.3 x 55.9 cm.
BANNER SET LANGUAGE
Date: 1797--~J1883
Name: Sojourner Truth
Story: AREN’T I A WOMAN?
Born 1797 Daughter of James & Elizabeth Bomfree Isabella Bomfree J
Sojourner Truth J 1827
The Lord gave me Sojourner as I was to Travel up & Down & to be a Sign!
I told the Lord I wanted another Name & he gave me Truth because—-> I J
was to declare --- the- truth- J J to the People & to J Proclaim JLiberty!
–I am the only colored here. I used to Hate White People - -Her Vision:
Suddeness- Flash – He pervadesJ the Universe…
----- 40 years A slave - - - I am a Self-Made Woman!!!
Orator Visionary Abolitionist
REVELATOR (SOJOURNER TRUTH) LANGUAGE FRONT
Sojourner Truth 1797-1883 Emancipation 1827
Born 1797 Daughter of James & Elizabeth Bomfree
Isabella Bomfree ---Sojourner Truth 1827 Oh- I must have my child My son
As I reached the vehicle to take him away With All suddenness—Flash of
Lightning Showing me in the twinkling Of an EYE – that He was All Over
-- & he Pervaded the Universe (Sojourner Truth)
Slave Abolitionist Suffragette
Revelator (Sojourner Truth), 2017
Oil pastel, thread on fabric, wooden yoke,
and shoe lasts
103.5 x 37 x 3 in. | 262.9 x 94 x 7.6 cm.
13REVELATOR (SOJOURNER TRUTH) LANGUAGE BACK
The Narrative of Sojourner Truth
Women’s Rights Convention Akron Ohio 1851
40 years a slave- I used to hate white people- I am the only colored person here
Aren’t I a Woman?
ORATOR VISIONARY PREACHER ABOLITIONIST
I am a Self Made Woman
Sojourner
SOJOURNER TRUTH: ABOLITIONIST ORATOR LANGUAGE:
Sojourner Truth Abolitionist - - - Orator
Sojourner Truth: Abolitionist Orator, 2018
Fabric and ink
17 x 5.5 x 1 in. | 43.2 x 14 x 2.6 cm.
14Dred Scott 1799-1858
Dred Scott Banner Set, 2021
Acrylic paint and hand-cut paper on cotton fabric
Story Banner: 36 x 144 in. | 91.5 x 365.8 cm.
Name Banner: 12 x 49.5 in. | 30.5 x 125.8 cm.
Date Banner: 6 x 22 in. | 15.3 x 55.9 cm.
BANNER SET LANGUAGE
Date: 1799-1858
Name: Dred Scott
Story: (cutout of Dred) Etheldred Scott 1799-1858
(cutout of Harriet) Harriet Scott 1815-1876
The Family Lived in the Jail & Alleyways for 11 years in St. Louis 1846 ->->->
Filed 2 JFreedom Suits!
FREEDOM * SUIT Dred Scott St. J LouisJ Missouri Harriet Scott Worked
as a Laundress.
The Girls were Hidden –> from Slave Catchers
I Had SomeHow gottenJJ the idea that Life couldJJ be Different Richard
Wright Black Boy
1846 Freedom Suit filedJEliza = 8 yrs old-Vulnerable to Sale!
(Eliza & Lizzie cutouts) Eliza 1838 Lizzie 1840
LOST! 1847 New Trial –> 1848! WON! 1850! 1852 Revoked! LOST! 1854
RefiledJLOST! 1857J Dred Scott v.s. SanfordJU.S. Supreme CourtJLOST!
Enslaved! Privately Freed 1857! May 1857 FREED
1857 FREED! Over 300 Freedom Suits filed in St. Louis American CIVIL WAR!
Abolitionist- North v.s. South- Pro-Slavery
Dred Scott, 2021
Acrylic paint on cotton fabric
100 x 60 in. | 254 x 152.4 cm.
DRED SCOTT LANGUAGE
Enslaved Dred Scott Harriet Eliza Lizzie
Freedom Suit Filed 1846 Lost 1847!! Won 1850!!! Lost 1852 ReJFiled! 1854
Lost!!! 1857
Supreme Court Dred Scott Decision Lost!
18 J FREEDJ 57!
15John Brown 1800-1859
John Brown Banner Set, 2021
Acrylic paint on cotton fabric
Story Banner: 36 x 132 in. | 91.5 x 335.3 cm.
Name Banner: 12 x 61 in. | 30.5 x 155 cm.
Date Banner: 6 x 22 in. | 15.3 x 55.9 cm.
BANNER SET LANGUAGE
Date: 1800 - - -1859
Name: John Brown
Story: I, John Brown Captain of the Pottawatomie Rifles Come With the - - -
- - - - Lord’s - - - - Blessing! To Free Every Colored Man in the Territory You
are Free! Follow Me- Children! Don’t be Afraid - - J.B. 1859 (John Brown)
Found Guilty of Insurrection & hanged!
I Dreamed that I was Good. I dreamed It for the Murderers as much as for
the Murdered. I Dreamt it J The Hidden Voices- I Dreamt I was Good inJ a
bygone Age. (Tom Sleigh)
SEER (JOHN BROWN) LANGUAGE FRONT
I John Brown Aim to PURGE America’s Sin of Slavery with Blood And I Will do
it Soon with the Help of the Negro People (John Brown)
SEER (JOHN BROWN) LANGUAGE BACK
The Portent -by the Streaming Beard is Shown weird John Brown. The Meteor
of the War (Herman Melville) 1859
I’m John Brown Captain of Pottawatomie Rifles…I come with the Lord’s
Blessing to Free Every Colored Man in the territory. You are free. Follow me.
Don’t be afraid children. (John Brown)
Killed 5 Slavery Supporters at Pottawatomie, & then Harper’s Ferry Guilty of
murder & Inciting Slave Insurrection Found guilty and hanged
Seer (John Brown), 2017
Hand-tied and dyed horsehair, oil pastel on fabric,
wooden base, and shoe lasts
96 x 24 x 24 in. | 243.8 x 61 x 61 cm.
16JOHN BROWN: METEOR OF THE WAR LANGUAGE
Let me find a liturgy – that I may say the Right Words – that I may take myself
one way only. That I may be heard that I may be done. (Henry Hine)
By the Streaming Beard is shown Weird John Brown The Meteor of the War
1859 (Herman Melville)
“There will be no more Peace in the land until Slavery is done.” (John Brown)
I dreamed that I was Good. I dreamed is for the murderers As much as for the
murdered. I dreamt it
The hidden voices I dreamt… I was good in a bygone age. (Tom Sleigh)
Nothing was more common in those days than to interpret all meteoric John Brown: Meteor of the War, 2017
occurrences … as revisitations from a Supernatural Source. Oil pastel, hand-cut paper, and thread on
fabric-backed acrylic painted paper
(Nathaniel Hawthorne) 62 x 84 in. | 157.5 x 213.4 cm.
I, John Brown, am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will
never be purged away, but with blood. 1859 (John Brown)
I took my power in my hand and went against the world. (Emily Dickinson)
I, JOHN BROWN LANGUAGE
I, John Brown aim to purge America’s sin of slavery
John Brown, 1859
WHEN WILT THOU BE AT FULL GREAT LUNATIQUE? LANGUAGE
When wilt thou be at full, great lunatique?
[repeated] (John Donne)
I, John Brown, 2018
Thread, ink, and horsehair on fabric
14.5 x 7.5 x 1 in. | 36.8 x 19.1 x 2.5 cm.
17Nathaniel Hawthorne 1804-1864
Nathaniel Hawthorne Banner Set, 2021
Acrylic paint on cotton fabric
Story Banner: 36 x 120 in. | 91.5 x 304.8 cm.
Name Banner: 12 x 59 in. | 30.5 x 149.9 cm.
Date Banner: 6 x 22 in. | 15.3 x 55.9 cm.
BANNER SET LANGUAGE
Date: 1804 --- 1864
Name: Nathaniel Hawthorne
Story: Whatevers –In- A –Word –Are –Spiritualized -by- Unusual ----------Light
I have Learned Many New Secrets in the Wilderness
(Nathaniel Hawthorne)
UNREDEEMED REGIONS (NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE) LANGUAGE
The Scarlet Letter was her Passport into Regions where Other Women Dare
not Tread--- Shame, despair, solitude, these had been her teachers—stern
& wild ones & they had made her strong, but taught her much amiss.
The exhilaration of that potent cordial which is distilled only in the furnace-
glow of earnest & long continued thought.
The exhilarating effect – of breathing the wild, free atmosphere of an
unredeemed, unchristianized, lawless region.
Such was the sympathy of Nature – that wild heathen nature of the forest
never subjugated by human law…filling of radiance.
I have Learned Many New Secrets in the Wilderness
Thus your Familiar has Become a Neutral Territory—
Somewhere between the Real World & Fairyland--- where the Actual & the
Imaginary may Meet & Each Imbue Itself with the Nature of the Other-
Ghosts might Enter here without Affrighting us-
It may Serve Let us Hope to Symbolize some Sweet Moral Blossom …that
may be found along the track…or relieve the Darkening Close of a Tale of
Unredeemed Regions Human Frailty.
(Nathaniel Hawthorne), 2017 Whatevers in a Word are spiritualized by Unusual Light now invested with
Horsehair, thread, ink on fabric, wooden yoke,
and shoe lasts Dignity & a Quality of Strangeness or Remoteness.
91 x 23 x 6 in. | 231.1 x 58.4 x 15.2 cm. Dark Old Trees with Multitudinous Tongues
18The Exhilarating Effect – upon a prisoner just escaped from the dungeon
of his heart- of Breathing the Wild, Free, Atmosphere of an Unredeemed
Unchristianized—Lawless Region
Such was the Sympathy of Nature that Wild Heathen nature of the forest
never subjugated by human law…filling of radiance (Nathaniel Hawthorne)
WHITE SHIRT LANGUAGE
I have Learned Many New Secrets in the Wilderness
Thus your Familiar has Become a Neutral Territory—
Somewhere between the Real World & Fairyland--- where the Actual & the
Imaginary may Meet & Each Imbue Itself with the Nature of the Other-
Ghosts might Enter here without Affrighting us
It may Serve Let us Hope to Symbolize some Sweet Moral Blossom …that
may be found along the track…or relieve the Darkening Close of a Tale of
Human Frailty.
Whatevers in a Word are spiritualized by Unusual Light now invested with
Nathaniel Hawthorne: Unusual Light, 2018
Dignity & a Quality of Strangeness or Remoteness. Fabric, thread, and balsa wood
Dark Old Trees with Multitudinous Tongues 14.5 x 8 x 1 in. | 36.8 x 20.3 x 2.5 cm.
The Exhilarating Effect – upon a prisoner just escaped from the dungeon
of his heart- of Breathing the Wild, Free, Atmosphere of an Unredeemed
Unchristianized—Lawless Region
Such was the Sympathy of Nature that Wild Heathen nature of the forest
never subjugated by human law…filling of radiance (Nathaniel Hawthorne)
NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE: UNUSUAL LIGHT LANGUAGE
I have learned many new secrets in the wilderness
Whatevers in a word are spiritualized by unusual light
(Nathaniel Hawthorne)
Hester Prynne 1850
THE WILDERNESS TATTOO (HESTER PRYNNE) HAIR RIBBONS LANGUAGE
I have Learned Many New Secrets in the Wilderness
Whatevers in a Word are Spiritualized by Unusual Light
The Scarlet Letter was Hester’s passport into Regions where Other Women
Dare not Tread..Shame Despair Solitude
Mystic Sisters Stern & Wild had made her strong
The Exhilarating Effect of Breathing the Wild
The Exhilarating Effect of Breathing the Wild, Free Atmosphere of
Unredeemed Lawless Regions
Such was the Sympathy of Nature
Filling of Radiance The Wilderness Tattoo (Hester Prynne), 2017
Fabric, thread, Cinefoil with gold-leaf, and ink
Such was the Sympathy of Nature –that Wild Heathen Wood of the Forest with wooden base
never Subjugated by human law...filling of Radiance (Nathaniel Hawthorne) 86 x 55 x 55 in. | 218.4 x 139.7 x 139.7 cm.
19Walt Whitman 1819-1892
Walt Whitman Banner Set, 2021
Acrylic paint on cotton fabric
Story Banner: 36 x 144 in. | 91.5 x 365.8 cm.
Name Banner: 12 x 80 in. | 30.5 x 203 cm.
Date Banner: 6 x 22 in. | 15.3 x 55.9 cm.
BANNER SET LANGUAGE
Date: 1819---1892
Name: Walt Whitman
Story: Was Somebody Asking to See the Soul? Who is Now Reading This?
Knowest thou the joys of Pensive Thought? War of Attempted Secession
I say where Liberty draws Not the Blood Out of Slavery –-> there, J
Slavery draws the blood Out of Liberty O…..Word….Endlessly
I will thread a thread through My Poems that Time & Events Are Compact
Miracles! I Swear to you There Are Divine Things more Beautiful than Words
can Tell . . . .
(Walt Whitman)
WANDERER (WALT WHITMAN) LANGUAGE FRONT AND BACK
He is the Answerer
Who is Reading this?
The English language befriends the American Expression
Through All change of Circumstance …was never without the idea of political
liberty …of All Liberty it is the powerful language of Resistance
There will soon be no more priests …Their work is done…A Superior breed
shall take their Place
The Gangs of Kosmos & Prophets shall take their place….Through the Divinity
of Themselves shall the Kosmos & the New Breed of Poets be Interpreter
of Men & Women
Prophetic Spirit of material shifting & flickering around me
I am the Poet Florid with Blood Pensive Rapt with Musings ..hot with passion
I am the Poet I am the Answerer
The English language befriends the grand American expression...it is brawny
enough and limber and full enough. On the tough stock of a race who
through all change of circumstance was never without the idea of political
liberty, which…of all liberty. It is the powerful language of resistance…it is
the dialect [repeated]
(Walt Whitman)
20WHITE SHIRT LANGUAGE
He is the Answerer
I am the Poet of the body & I am the Poet of the Soul--- for it is the Mystic
Evolution –not the Right only justified---what we call Evil also justified.
The Pleasures of Heaven are with me and the pains of hell are with me. The
first I graft & increase upon myself. The latter I translate into a new tongue.
I have seen the Mocking Bird Occult.
A Throat is now Inflating itself—And I will thread a thread through my Poems
that Time & Events are Compact Miracles.
Was somebody Asking to See the Soul?
Melange Mine Own, the Unseen & the Seen Mysterious Ocean where the
streams empty.
I say where Liberty draws Not the Blood Out of Slavery—there Slavery Draws
the Blood Out of Liberty.
The Originatress comes.
The Nest of Languages, the Bequether of Poems, the race of eld--- Florid
with blood – pensive – rapt with musings –hot with passion –Sultry with
perfume-
Visage with Intense Soul & Glittering Eyes— Womanhood & all that is a
Woman--the womb, the teats, nipples, breast-milk, tears, laughter, weeping,
love-looks, love-perturbations and risings—
The Voice – articulation - , language, whispering, shouting aloud
Food, drink, pulse, digestion, sweat, sleep, walking, swimming
Poise on the hips Flex of the Mouth, and around the eyes The skin The beauty
of the waist, and the hips, and the knees The thin red jellies within you or
within me, the bones and the marrow in the bones
O I say these are not the parts and poems of the body only, but of the soul
O I say now these are the Soul
O..a..word..endlessly
You air that serves me with breath to speak ...I believe you are latent with Wanderer (Walt Whitman), 2017
Dyed horsehair, thread, oil pastel on fabric,
unseen existences- you are so dear to me. wooden yoke, and shoe lasts
Are you the new person drawn to me? 99 x 22 x 6 in. | 251.5 x 55.9 x 15.2 cm.
I will therefore let Flame from me.
The burning fires threatening to consume me.
I sing the body electric. 1861 no dainty rhymes or sentimental love verses for
you terrible year.
I swear to you there are divine things more beautiful than words can tell.
Without Apology—I restore my book to the buoyant equilibrium of outdoor
Nature. – The only permanent reliance for Sanity. (Walt Whitman)
21THE PLEASURES OF HEAVEN LANGUAGE
Walt Whitman
the Pleasures of Heaven-and the pains of hell are with Me The first graft &
increase upon myself. The
Latter I translate into a new tongue
(Walt Whitman)
MYSTIC EVOLUTION LANGUAGE
I am the Poet of the body & I am the Poet of the Soul--- for it is the Mystic
Evolution –not the Right only justified---what we call Evil also justified.
(Walt Whitman)
The Pleasures of Heaven, 2018 Mystic Evolution, 2018
Ink, hand-cut paper, and thread on hand-made paper Thread and ink on fabric
9.5 x 7 in. | 24.1 x 17.8 cm. with balsa wood
15 x 5 x 1 in.
38.1 x 12.7 x 2.5 cm.
22Figge Art Museum installation, 2021
23Emily Dickinson 1830-1886
Emily Dickinson Banner Set, 2021
Acrylic paint on cotton fabric
Story Banner: 36 x 144 in. | 91.5 x 365.8 cm.
Name Banner: 12 x 73.5 in. | 30.5 x 186.7 cm.
Date Banner: 6 x 22 in. | 15.3 x 55.9 cm.
BANNER SET LANGUAGE
Date: 1830- - -1886
Name: Emily Dickinson
Story: The Soul has Bandaged Moments – When too Appalled to Stir—She
feels some ghastly fright!
- Come up & Stop to Look at Her- - Salute Her – With- - Long fingers - -
caress her freezing-- hair – SIP, Goblin, from the very Lips- the Lover
Hover’d - - O’er - - unworthy, that- A thought so mean accost A theme-
so—--fair—the Soul has moments of escape- -! When Bursting all the
Doors - - She dances-Like a Bomb - - abroad & Swings upon the Hours - ---
as do the BEE – delirious borne – Long Dungeoned from His rose - - Touch
Liberty – then Know no More, but - -Noon, & Paradise - - the Soul’s Retaken
Moments - - When, Felon Led Along, with Shackles on the plumed feet, &
staples, in the song ~
the Horror ~ ~ ~ Welcomes J her, again, - - These are not Brayed of - - - -
tongue!
I am Afraid -> -> To Own->-> a Body!-> I am afraid -->-> to own a->-> Soul
Profound -> ->Precarious->->Property -> Possession Not Optional
How Ruthless are -------> the Gentle
Some too fragile for ------->Winter Winds
Take AllJ Away from Me- but Leave Me - --JEcstasy!!!!!!
To Be Alive is Power - - Existence in itself – Without a further function - -
Omnipotence! – enough!
(Emily Dickinson)
24OMNIPOTENCE ENOUGH (EMILY DICKINSON) LANGUAGE FRONT
I am afraid to own a body– I am afraid to own a soul – Profound Precarious
- - How Ruthless are the Gentle- - A Solemn thing - - it was - - I said – A
woman – in white – to be – and wear – if God should count me fit – Her
Blameless Mysteries – Rehearsal to Ourselves – of a withdrawn delight
– affords a bliss like murder – omnipotent – acute – soul take thy risk –
electrical the embryo – but we demand the flame – split the lark and you’ll
find the music – the life that tied too tight escapes – will ever after run -
OMNIPOTENCE ENOUGH (EMILY DICKINSON) LANGUAGE BACK
The thrill came slowly like a Boon - - for centuries delayed - - its fitness
growing like the flood in sumptuous solitude – the desolation only missed –
while rapture changes its dress - - and stood amazed before the change in
ravished holiness.
I am afraid to own a body
I am afraid to own a Soul
(Emily Dickinson)
POET LANGUAGE
This was a Poet – It is That Distills Amazing Sense from Ordinary Meanings –
An Attar so immense of pictures the discloser By what Mystic Mooring is
this errand of the Eye
She dealt her pretty words like blades – how glittering they shone...and every
Omnipotence Enough (Emily Dickinson), 2017
one unbarred a Nerve Or wantoned with a bone. Exhilaration is Within – Oil pastel on fabric, wooden yoke, and shoe lasts
there can no Outer wine so royally Intoxicate as that Diviner brand -- Split 103.25 x 42.5 x 5 in. | 262.3 x 108 x 12.7 cm.
the Lark – and you’ll find the Music—Loose the Flood – you shall find the
patent---Gush after Gush, reserved for you—A single Screw of Flesh is All
the Pins the Soul that stands for Deity, to Mine, Upon my side the Veil—
Once witnessed of the Gauze –Its name to put away As far from mine, as
if no Plight had Printed yesterday, In Tender –Solemn Alphabet, My Eyes
just Turned to See, when it was Smuggled by my Sight into Eternity—More
Hands—to hold—These are but Two—One more new-mailed Nerve just
granted for the Peril’s sake—Some Striding –Giant –Love—so Greater the
Gods can show, they slink before the Clay, that not for all their Heaven
can boast Will let his Keepsake—go. The Thrill came Slowly like a Boon for
centuries delayed, Its Fitness growing like the Flood in Sumptuous Solitude.
The Desolation only missed While Rapture changed its Dress
& stood amazed before the Change In ravished Holiness-- The Soul should Poet, 2016
Oil pastel and thread on fabric-backed acrylic
Heaven inquire stand ajar that Match me the Silver Reticence Match Me the painted paper
Solid Calm (Emily Dickinson) 96 x 133 in. | 243.8 x 337.8 cm.
25Emily Dickinson and the Voices of Her Time, 2016
Oil pastel, hand-cut paper, and thread on fabric-backed acrylic painted paper
72 x 96 in. | 182.9 x 243.8 cm.
EMILY DICKINSON AND THE VOICES OF HER TIME LANGUAGE:
Emily Dickinson & the Voices of Her Time
Dare you see a Soul at the White Heat? Then crouch within the door—Red is
the Fire’s common tint—but when the Vivid Ore has Vanquished Flame’s
conditions –it Quivers at the Forge –without a color – but the Light of
Unanointed Blaze. Least village has its Blacksmith whose Anvil’s even ring
Stands Symbol for the Finer Forge that soundless tugs—within—Refining
these impatient Ores with Hammer- and with Blaze until the Designated
Light Repudiate the Forge --- (Emily Dickinson)
There is a holy city – A world of light above –above the stars and regions
When I left the house of bondage I left everything behind… I asked for a new
name and the Lord gave me Sojourner because I was to travel up and down
the land, showing people their sins, and being a sign unto them afterward. I
wanted another name and the Lord gave me Truth because I was to declare
the Truth to the people. (Sojourner Truth)
I saw my eccentric poetess Miss Emily Dickinson. I heard faint foot-steps. She
had a quaint and nun-like look. She came toward me with two day-lilies.
I never was with anyone who drained my nerve power so much. Without
touching me, she drew from me. ‘Forgive me if I am frightened, I never see
strangers, & hardly know what I say.’ She said. (Thomas Wentworth Higginson
on meeting Emily Dickinson)
He who organizes a successful black regiment will perform an important
service in history.
(Thomas Wentworth Higginson)
You air that serves me with breath to speak. You objects that call from
diffusion my meanings and give them shape … I believe you are latent with
unseen existences. Are you the new person drawn toward me? Away themes
of war! Away with war itself! (Walt Whitman)
26Horace Pippin 1830-1886
Horace Pippin Banner Set, 2021
Acrylic paint and hand-cut paper on cotton fabric
Story Banner: 36 x 132 in. | 91.5 x 335.3 cm.
Name Banner: 12 x 54.5 in. | 30.5 x 138.5 cm.
Date Banner: 6 x 22 in. | 15.3 x 55.9 cm.
BANNER SET LANGUAGE
Date: 1888 . . . . . 1946
Name: Horace Pippin
Story: WW1 Veteran 1918 * Purple Heart * Croix-de-Guerre
The end of the War coming home
I CameJ J to Paint because ofJLoneliness But myJ Talent Came From
JGod (Horace Pippin)
Horace Pippin
Pictures Come to My Mind & - - -- - - . . . I tell My Heart to go Ahead - - (Horace
Pippin)
The Holy Mountain II I call this the Knowledge of God~~ Seeing the World as
it is today caused Me to Paint this Picture- J J JYou Will See What They
did & are still doing in the SouthJ do men have Knowledge of God today?
1944 That’s Why I Painted This Picture! (Horace Pippin) Horace Pippin, 2021
J Wife: Jennie Ora Featherstone Giles Pippin – The Emancipator : Abraham Acrylic paint, hand-cut paper, thread on
cotton fabric, wooden yoke, and shoe lasts
Lincoln-- Quaker Mother & child 100 x 25 x 11 in. | 254 x 63.5 x 28 cm.
HORACE PIPPIN LANGUAGE FRONT
1918 Victory Abroad & Victory at home! I have 3 wounds
I came to paint because of Loneliness…but my talent came from God
Pictures Come to my mind & I tell my Heart to go Ahead
The Holy Mountain The knowledge of God Mr. Prejudice The Trial of
John Brown Abraham Lincoln: the Great Emancipator Cabin in the
Cotton Self Portrait
(Horace Pippin)
PICTURES COME TO MY MIND LANGUAGE
Horace Pippin
Pictures Come to My Mind (Horace Pippin), 2021
Pictures Come to My Mind . . . . . . .Heart Acrylic paint, hand-cut paper, thread on
cotton fabric, wooden yoke, and shoe lasts
100 x 25 x 11 in. | 254 x 63.5 x 28 cm.
27Sister Gertrude Morgan 1900-1980
Sister Gertrude Morgan Banner Set, 2021
Acrylic paint and waxed silver leaf on
cotton fabric
Story Banner: 36 x 144 in. | 91.5 x 365.8 cm.
Name Banner: 12 x 109 in. | 30.5 x 277 cm.
Date Banner: 6 x 22 in. | 15.3 x 55.9 cm.
BANNER SET LANGUAGE
Date: 1900***1980
Name: Sister Gertrude Morgan!
Story: R E V E L A T I O N
SISTER GERTRUDE MORGAN LANGUAGE CAPELET FRONT
I heard a Voice Like a trumpet
– Revelation
There is an all seeing eye looking at you
(Sister Gertrude Morgan)
SISTER GERTRUDE MORGAN LANGUAGE CAPELET BACK:
& from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river
I am alone like a tunnel (Pablo Neruda)
You cannot fold a flood and put it in a drawer (Emily Dickinson)
You cannot put a fire out (Emily Dickinson)
Hell Water
SISTER GERTRUDE MORGAN LANGUAGE SKIRT FRONT:
Sister Gertrude Morgan
1900 born April 7th on the 7th day of the week 1934 first Revelation 1937
Sister Gertrude Morgan, 2021 2cnd Revelation
Acrylic paint, hand-cut paper, thread on cotton 3rd 1956 R E V E L A T I O N I arrived in New Orleans 1939 My Heavenly
fabric, satin, plastic sheeting, wooden yoke and
shoe lasts Father called me He said go ye yonder World & Sing with a Loud! Voice!
100 x 42 x 6 in. | 254 x 106.7 x 15.2 cm. He crowned me out in White!
Holiness! I am the Bride of Jesus
(Sister Gertrude Morgan)
28SISTER GERTRUDE MORGAN LANGUAGE SKIRT BACK:
Immortality of Colossal Substance (Emily Dickinson)
The soul’s superior instants (Emily Dickinson)
Fine upper wooing estranging creature (Emily Dickinson)
Heart shall not fear (Sister Gertrude Morgan)
Rapture’s rise holy holy (Sister Gertrude Morgan)
Germination Desire Exultation (Emily Dickinson)
Bride of jesus I am the Bride (Sister Gertrude Morgan)
Endowed to pa(?)
A Nearness to Tremendousness (Emily Dickinson)
Blended with Electricity (Pablo Neruda)
Faith fire faith fire faith (Sister Gertrude Morgan)
We Demand the Flame (Emily Dickinson)
Eternity’s Disclosure (Emily Dickinson)
holy holy holy holy Glory Power (Sister Gertrude Morgan)
REVELATION LANGUAGE Revelation (Sister Gertrude Morgan), 2021
He Crowned Me in White Sister Gertrude Morgan Fabric, thread, and ink
17 x 8 x 1 in. | 43.5 x 20.5 x 2.6 cm.
(Sister Gertrude Morgan)
Figge Art Museum installation, 2021
29225 West Second Street Davenport, Iowa www.figgeartmuseum.org
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