Woman-House 1983

Louise Bourgeois created this enigmatic sculpture, "Woman-House," and it’s like a thought made solid, a feeling given form. The cool, pale plaster, draped and folded, suggests both vulnerability and monumental strength. The drapery, that's really doing it for me. Look at how the folds tumble and gather, partially concealing the figure. See how the artist has played with light and shadow to create depth and movement? It's all about the push and pull, isn't it? That little house perches precariously on top. The house, a symbol of shelter, of the domestic, becomes almost comical in its smallness. Bourgeois reminds me of Eva Hesse in her desire to push the boundaries of sculpture, using unconventional materials and exploring themes of the body, memory, and the subconscious. Art is about asking questions, not giving answers. What do you feel when you look at this?