The Hidden Coot by Alisa Golden

 

The Hidden Coot

 

Alisa Golden

 

45 x 15 inches

ARTIST STATEMENT

Every year when the American Coots leave San Francisco Bay, one seems to remain behind. Jewish mysticism tells of thirty-six righteous people hidden in the world, prompting us to treat everyone kindly, as if they or we might be one. Perhaps this coot is one of thirty-six animals hidden to guide us, for us to respect and steward. Even while remaining attentive to the details of the bird’s existence, the pixelation suggests that one can perceive and perhaps appreciate the bird only from a distance. Each color is important, none more than its neighbor, and we ponder this one local coot in golden autumn light. Poem: leaves scatter / geese are gone / ducks settle in / coots have flown / save one / staying home. 

MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES

Materials: Hand-dyed cotton, taupe cotton, seed beads, hand-dyed perle and sashiko threads. 

Techniques: Letterpress printed from metal and wood type, hand quilted.