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=Simple Equations=

Michael A. Pierce

Artist Statement
Oil Pastels & Printed Text
Exhibition Dates: July 2 - August 1, 2004

Opening Reception: Friday, July 2, 2004, 8:00-10:30 pm

ARTSPACE @ Plant Zero
Zero East Fourth Street
Richmond, VA 23224
phone: 804-232-6464
email: artspacegallery@att.net
web: www/artspacegallery.org
hours: wed.-sun., noon-4pm or by appointment

It’s the days that separate the nights.
It’s the shadows by which we recognize the light.
Lyrics from the song Simple Equation by Christopher Foreman / Graham McPherson, from their CD with Madness, Our House, 2002.

Samuel said, “Apply that to the Cain - Abel story.”

“I think I can,” Lee answered Samuel. “I think this is the best-known story in the world because it is everybody’s story. I think it is the symbol story of the human soul. I’m feeling my way now - don’t jump on me if I’m not clear. The greatest terror a child can have is that he is not loved, and rejection is the hell he fears. I think everyone in the world to a large or small extent has felt rejection. And with rejection comes anger, and with anger some kind of crime in revenge for the rejection, and with the crime guilt - and there is the story of mankind...”
From East of Eden, by John Steinbeck, 1952.

Can you imagine the sounds they made,
pistol whipping, shattering his skull.

Can you imagine the sounds he made
as he hung, tied to a fence, broken and bleeding,
through the bitter night, and the whole next day.

Can you imagine the sounds she made
when she heard what they did to her child.
From Sounds, words by Karen Bashkirew, music by Suzzy & Maggie Roche, from their CD, Zero Church, 2001.

IMAGES AT TOP OF THIS PAGE
LEFT: Aaron McKinney #1 - 2004, Oil pastels on paper and color copier on polyvinyl, 43” x 55.”
RIGHT: Russell Henderson #1 - 2004, Oil pastels on paper and color copier on polyvinyl, 43” x 55.”
MAPIERCE2001@comcast.net