Brain Cancer Headdress for Maro, Athena Tacha

Artwork Overview

Athena Tacha, Brain Cancer Headdress for Maro
Athena Tacha, Brain Cancer Headdress for Maro
Athena Tacha
Brain Cancer Headdress for Maro
1992
Athena Tacha
born 1936
Brain Cancer Headdress for Maro, 1992
Where object was made: United States
Material/technique: oyster shell; clay; glue; polyurethane foam
Dimensions:
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 28 x 30.5 x 35.5 cm
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 11 1/2 x 12 1/2 x 14 0.9764 in
Credit line: Gift of the artist
Accession number: 1998.0137
Not on display
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Images

Label texts

Healing, Knowing, Seeing the Body
In 1992, Anthena Tacha experienced her first direct confrontation with death when two of her closest friends passed away from cancer. In response, she grappled with vulnerability and the delicate nature of the human body through organic materials, such as dead mollusk shells and clay, and recycled human-made materials, like polyurethane foam. This mask, conceived as a wearable sculpture, “reveals more than it conceals,” reflecting Tacha’s view that our bodies, while carrying and protecting us all our lives, are vulnerable to forces of nature. Bodies are, ultimately, “armors that cannot protect.” Tacha states that while this work was born out of intense pain, it ultimately helped her reconcile her grief.
Healing, Knowing, Seeing the Body
In 1992, Anthena Tacha experienced her first direct confrontation with death when two of her closest friends passed away from cancer. In response, she grappled with vulnerability and the delicate nature of the human body through organic materials, such as dead mollusk shells and clay, and recycled human-made materials, like polyurethane foam. This mask, conceived as a wearable sculpture, “reveals more than it conceals,” reflecting Tacha’s view that our bodies, while carrying and protecting us all our lives, are vulnerable to forces of nature. Bodies are, ultimately, “armors that cannot protect.” Tacha states that while this work was born out of intense pain, it ultimately helped her reconcile her grief.

Exhibitions

Healing, Knowing, Seeing the Body
Cassandra Mesick Braun, curator
2021