I have spent a lifetime working with my hands to create functional and artistic pieces. For the last twelve years, I have been making assemblage pieces from vintage items. I mostly create angels because I love the symbolism of an angel who guides and protects. As I reflect on how I have spent much of the past twenty years as a caregiver to my family, I have come to understand the deep spiritual nature of motherhood and domestic work. The angels I make are in honor of mothers, sisters, grandmothers, and girlfriends; all of the women who are beside us as we go through life. I am thankful for the women who cared for me and I am proud to have been able to care for my children, family, and friends. Through them, I feel God's presence and love.
My angels are constructed from discarded items I find at thrift stores, antique alleys, and garage sales. Many were items that women used in their daily lives for work and chores. These old utensils, cooking pans, spoons, and graters have such a wonderful patina from years of use. They represent countless hours spent caring for children, preparing meals, washing dishes, cleaning, doing laundry, baking for special occasions, and forming family traditions. I can't help but think about the women who used these things as I collect them. I wonder how many times a single spoon must have been used, washed, and put away before it ended up in a box of junk. When I look at an old dented cookie cutter, I see mounds of cookies for snacks, school, and holidays. A deep commitment can be felt in these simple things. I also use items from the fun and creative part of their lives: Knitting needles, sewing implements, buttons, curlers, hair clips, and watches. I always add a piece of costume jewelry to each angel for a little bit of color and sparkle. I feel connected to these women who have lived in other times and places and I wonder: what were their hopes and dreams?
It has been so satisfying to give new life to old objects and turn them into pieces of art. I enjoy the search for items, as well as the process of making the finished pieces. All individual components are carefully drilled and then wired to the background. I sell my work at arts and crafts shows in California and over the Internet. As I am confirmed into shows, I will list them here. Thank you for visiting my site. I hope that you have felt the history and power within my work.
JoAnne Hunot, January 2007
