Mammy in the Middle

Mammy in the Middle was inspired by my mother's past. Born in a typical Southern family she, along with her 7 brothers and sisters, was primarily raised by a hired woman of color. Fanny Mae also had three children of her own. Fanny Mae's time and energy was spent helping her employer's children, thus her own children suffered from not having their mother present.

Using a 19th century door frame from a Delaware row house, old timber from a Delaware farmhouse and railroad ties, I fabricated a structure reminiscent of an antique pivoting picture frame. The doll is based on that of a child's Topsy Turvy doll which has two heads, torsos, and arms. A skirt separates the two and hides whichever is on the bottom. By using the ropes, which are attached to both sides of the frame, the doll may be flipped upside down and rightside up.

This action seems to play upon the idea of struggle between two girls: a struggle for power, for recognition, for love. The title alludes to Mammy being the skirt that serves two purposes... to shelter what is underneath and to clothe what is on top. It also references the game Monkey in the Middle.

Mammy in the Middle
September 2007
1800's Door Frame, 1800's Farmhouse Wood,
Railroad Ties, Rope, Fabric, Newspaper, Fiberfill, Metal
12' x 14' x 1' 6"