Receiving Permission to Speak

IN PROGRESS 2008 Left panel of diptych: 64" x 44" Smalti, Millefiori, Gems, Vitreous, Gold smalti on Honeycomb Panel.

Click for full size and the stages of the creative process.

During the biblical story, as in my series, Esther, undergoes a dramatic transformation: the Esther at the beginning of the story is a passive, obedient Esther, a marionette doll whose strings are pulled by several men. "Be beautiful and keep quiet" is the message she is given and she understands the message well. Later though, during the meeting with Mordechai at the palace, we see a new Esther who, despite her former obedient self, she refuses his request. Without an invitation to appear before the king, she does not dare go before him. Mordechai then tells this passive and beautiful woman that when her people die, no matter how elevated her role is within the King's court, her turn to die will also arrive, as she is Jewish herself.
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