In October 2007 I severely injured my shoulder, which required numerous surgeries. Consequently, I was confined to the house for many months. My daughter brought me a small book of handmade papers and as time passed I proceeded to fill it with interpretations of the flowers and plants I received. These gifts not only cheered me up but I found working with pen and ink an unusually meditative experience.
In life, there is cruelty and terror and on the other hand a wondrous and overpowering beauty. Even though these two forces are opposite, they are both true, and together they create a mysterious and remarkable world. Both forces are necessary, and this dualism is behind all my work.
A powerful narrative series that delves into the stories and mythologies of women, this series explores female relationships, highlighting the strength and resilience of women. Exploring the realms of Queens, Mothers, and Angels is intricately connected with Jaffe's experimental use of mixed media.
"As a child, my very favorite occupation was cutting out paper dolls and their accessories. I would spend hours creating stories about my life and their lives. At the age of fourteen, on Saturday mornings, I went to the Art Students League in Manhattan. There I drew a model named Rosie, who wore nothing but heels and stockings rolled up to her knees and a flower in her hair. No matter what the following years have brought to me, I continue to draw from the model. Lately, at the age of ninety-two, I have been cutting out figures from these life drawings and placing them in my new work, to illuminate the stories of women today."
In this series, Jaffe inquires into the meanings of life and invites one to ponder the mysteries of existence. The artist states "For some time, I have been thinking about the role deities play in our complex world. The result of these ruminations is this series titled 'Quest'."
