Pushing Back the Sea
Mary Porterfield: My drawings reflect my mother’s struggle to care for my father who has Parkinsonism and is homebound. The life-sized images, which are cut out and attached to the wall, represent the substantiality of their difficulties and resilience. The trays are used as architectural elements to support my father as he walks, confining his small steps within their framework. My mother bears the sole weight of his mobility, both literally and metaphorically. The translucent layers that result represent my father’s gradual evanescence, while each wall signifies my mother’s perseverance, hardship and love. In showing the effects of degenerative illness, I hope to elevate those who have had such an impact on our past, yet, seem to fade in our present.