Monday, June 1, 2009

I am more

Just after the theme of identity was announced I had my fingerprints taken for a job I applied for with the Federal Government. I was surprised to discover that I had no idea what my own fingerprints looked like before this and I found them really quite fascinating and beautiful with their swirls and reverses. It struck me that my fingerprints would identify me, positively, and would represent, in some government file, my identity, even though I would not, myself, recognize them.

Identity is so complicated. I certainly do not feel that I can clearly define my own identity, and most certainly my fingerprint does not begin to say who I am. Enlarged, my fingerprint is like a maze seen from above, with deadends and switchbacks, paths to a center, but not a clear path. Some things are revealed, some are hidden. Look closely along those paths and you may be able to read these words:
"I am more than my fingerprints. My DNA is only part of my identity.
I am not my eye color, my height, my weight, my social security number or
the date of my birth.
I am not my secret password or my mother's maiden name.
I am a daughter. I am a mother.
I am the places I have lived, the people I have loved.
I am memory, I am sorrow, I am joy.
I am the sum of my parts. I am more."

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10 comments:

  1. KarenJune 1, 2009 at 7:43 AM

    Terry the sentiment expressed in this is exactly what I was striving for. Your color choices are so rich and the lettering really drew me into it.

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  2. RevalaniJune 1, 2009 at 9:00 AM

    I'm fascinated by how you and Gerrie took essentially the same idea and went in such different directions with it.

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  3. Diane PerinJune 1, 2009 at 10:40 AM

    Terry, I laughed when this came up -- we definitely were thinking along the same lines. I love that you incorporated words --it does draw you in!

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  4. Terri StegmillerJune 1, 2009 at 11:25 AM

    Wonderful Terry! I can't get a good enough look at the tiny wording, I'm wondering what technique you used to add the text.

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  5. Kristin LJune 1, 2009 at 12:53 PM

    The words add so much to this. They are the unsaid aspects of all the other fingerprint art. Your warm, rich colors are beautiful and suggest an inner glow and confidence.

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  6. RaynaJune 1, 2009 at 1:20 PM

    What beautiful words, Terry - and right on the mark. Now I know that you and Gerrie were separated at birth - but how differently your great minds-think-alike approach has turned out to be. Very moving.

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  7. GerrieJune 1, 2009 at 6:42 PM

    You make me feel like a dolt! So much thought has gone into this. I really appreciate that. You know, this is the first time that I have not seen your piece before the reveal. I feel cheated. I love the colors and the tiny writing.

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  8. kirstenJune 1, 2009 at 9:21 PM

    The words make it, don't they? The image is wonderful in itself but the words are perfect.The little dots stippled in the background have given it nice depth. That is some teensy tiny writing!

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  9. Gale DupellJune 2, 2009 at 12:46 PM

    The piece is graphically strong and the words give me chills. You made a wonderful piece as usual.

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  10. FrançoiseJune 3, 2009 at 12:31 PM

    This is perfect! Very thoughtful. I think it's my favourite in this theme.

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