SMITH, Kiki

1994

Letterpress text and photoengraved images on 1954 Whatman paper with adhered gampi silk tissue and Roma envelope

9 x 7 in.

I chose the body as subject, not consciously, but because it is the one form that we all share; its something that everyone has their own authentic experience with... All the life that happens between the tongue and the anus. -Kiki Smith While Smith uses the body as a singular authentic experience, she frequently delineates larger frameworks of connection, such as ancient cosmologies, fairy tales, astrology, and Christian symbolism. The works on view here reference, alternately, Jesus Christ, the Egyptian sun god, and cultural symbols of death. In this artist book, RE, Smith composes a gender-bending portrayal of Re (often Ra), the sun god of Ancient Egypt. The work joins an inverted photograph of the artist with classical Egyptian text. The creation text credits all being coming from a single body, the sun god Re. Here, Smith transforms Res otherworldly shape, typically represented by a sun halo and falcon head, into her own powerful, albeit human, self-portrait. A prolific printmaker, Smith also uses paper structurallysculpturallyas she does with this limited edition. To this innovative folded book Smith adds an unexpected gampi paper appendage. When handled directly, the thin crumpled paper can fall like a skirt, rise in a puff, or be concealed in the folds. Even through the structure of a book, Smith is able to assert her bodily interests as the paper addition recalls the entrails, bones, hair, and fluids which often emerge from her sculptures. This association to bodily secretions and growths is underscored by the books letterpress text. Here the book is opened, suspended, and presented with two copies of its envelop jacket, showing the front and back. Nearby is the printers plate which was used to create the image. The text was set with individual letters, so no plate exists for it.

1994

SMITH, Kiki

American, 1954 -

Gift of the artist

1994.25