Self-Portrait

Art

-

Gadsden Arts Center & Museum

Name/Title

Self-Portrait

Entry/Object ID

2011.2

Description

Mary Proctor often depicts herself in her artwork, but in this particular self-portrait she also includes writings about her struggles in life and her relationship with God. Proctor paints herself jumping in the air and holding hands above her head. Her mouth is open and seems to be saying the words which are written around her. Proctor adorns her dress and hat with brightly colored broken glass. Six angels float around the figure, each accompanied by a brightly shining sun. The piece is "begun" by the first lines written above the figure's head: "Have you ever saw a mirror that broke in pieces? That's how my life has been and only the lord is picking me [u]p and he is still mending my broken pieces back together". A self-proclaimed missionary, Proctor uses her artwork to communicate spiritual messages, and in this portrait the artist depicts herself surrounded by angels with short messages around her like: "God is able to mend you if you trust him" and "God's still mending us". Proctor writes about the trying times in her life, like family members dying and her own failing health, and stresses how God is mending her, like the broken pieces of glass that adorn her portrait.

Artwork Details

Medium

Wood, Acrylic Paint, Glass

Collection

Southern Vernacular Art Collection

Acquisition

Accession

2011.2

Source or Donor

Ecenia, Su

Acquisition Method

Gift

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

Proctor, Mary L.

Role

Artist

Date made

n.d.

Dimensions

Height

49 in

Width

44-1/2 in

Depth

4-1/2 in

Interpretative Labels

Label

Mary Proctor (b.1960) Artist Mary Proctor, also known as Missionary Mary, uses found objects from her junkyard, which she calls the American Folk Art Museum, to create three-dimensional assembled works from found objects like buttons, mirrors, jewelry, and other trinkets. Her work is inspired by biblical scripture and memories of her grandmother and her childhood. Most of her works include written messages of spiritual passages or life lessons.

Created By

admin@catalogit.app

Create Date

February 3, 2011