I wanted to explore lessor known parts of the female reproductive system in my artwork. As a society we are more familiar with the male reproductive anatomy than the female reproductive anatomy. I created the Ovary Rosary in 2016. It was a 25’ long rosary made from bright pink rope, and a series of 9” ceramic “ovary “ beads, along with brass wire, and gold leafing. Instead of a crucifix, a white sculpted ceramic vulva resembling the Madonna with gold leafing took its place. The ovary shaped beads depicted human ovaries in different stages of life and health. Some of the ovary beads were swollen, while others had visible cysts, or appeared small and frail.
The rosary felt like an appropriate embodiment for this piece because so many of the prayers of the rosary revolved around the Holy Mother. In March of 2017 , in a staged performance, I prayed on the Ovary Rosary. It was a meditative performance that put me in physical contact with the piece. After thirty minutes of praying, and hunched over on my knees, lifting and cradling each heavy ceramic ovary, I made my way slowly around the entire rosary, and in doing so my body physically ached. I wanted to include the audience in how personal the act of prayer could be. Here they were privy to my struggles as I made my way around the rosary.