Fifty-ninth series: shawabits, ed. 365
I was in the Egyptian wing of the Metropolitan
the other day and happened upon tiny turquoise statues called shawabits. They were created, one for
each day of the year, and placed in the tomb to answer questions the dead
pharaoh would need to ask once he awakens. I created my own from the casting of
a small votive first communion figure I found in a Catholic supply shop in
Louisville, a bit of paint, and some found objects – thread, string, trinkets,
bells, beads, etc. They will be placed on top of ledges, tucked in corners, looking down on you from overhead beams throughout the subway stations, museums and streets - watching, waiting, there
to ask and answer questions, beginning in late August.