Closeup of "My Father's Altar" by Laurie Beth Zuckerman, 12-12-12
"My Father's Altar" by Laurie Beth Zuckerman, 12-12-12
For comparison sake, here are two additional photos
that I took from back in 2003.  |
Closeup of "My Father's Altar" by Laurie Beth Zuckerman, 2003
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| "My Father's Altar" by Laurie Beth Zuckerman, 2003 |
12-12-12. Finally had a chance to photograph "My Father's Altar" this morning. My birthday, and the birthday of the Virgin of Guadalupe. I hadn't taken any recent pictures of the altar since it was out on display at the Loveland Museum Gallery during my "Memento Mori" solo retrospective in fall of 2009. It has really filled in, especially on the bust of Jesus. The other day I promised on this blog that I would post a completely up-to-date picture, dust and all!! So fun to see all of the changes.
I love the pair of old Mary and Jesus photos on the wall, especially because the Mary is my favorite Mother of Sorrows image. Some of the Mary's have come and gone to other altars, but essentially it is the same altar I wake up to every morning and say goodnight to every evening. I built this altar beginning in October of 1996 when my father first passed away. Sixteen years of collecting the perfect pieces to maintain the look and coloration of this altar. That is a long time to work on one altar. Yet, what seems even longer is the last time I saw my father alive. That seems like a lifetime ago.
Wondering about the Teddy Bear on the altar. My father gave me that Teddy Bear when I was five years old. Still have it after 56 years and have never had to mend it!! The small framed photos are pictures of my mother and father during the first happy years of their marriage.
Post from the other day:
While looking through my photo files of my home altars, I came across these two 2003 shots of "My Father's Altar." At the top of this blog in my banner image is a more recent version of the altar. It is fun to compare the changes that I have made over the years. There are several small statues and frames depicting the Sacred Heart of Mary, although the headliner of this altar is the chalkware bust of Jesus, which came out of an old church in Montana before being sold on the antique market.
Sadly the vintage glass Christmas bulb rose in the bottom middle was broken by my last male cat, Mr. Munchkie, who I frequently referred to as my little Altar Boy. After one hop up on this altar cabinet, the rose rolled off onto the hardwood floor. End of rose.
Please join my dear friend, Rebecca Brooks at her blog for the 12 days of Mary sharing by artists around the world: Recuerda Mi Corazon. I have linked this post to Rebecca's site on this, Day 12, and previously Day 9 of Mornings with Mary.
11 comments:
It is incredibly beautiful. I see your collection of sacred heart relics! I just found my first one recently - on EBay! I am looking forward to your update pictures!
i love how masculine, almost stark by comparison your fathers shrine is and how feminine your mothers. where textiles play an important role in telling blanche's story..through colour, comfort and the presence of the work of ones hands, the feathering of ones nest. your fathers is more practical with the presence of metal, disks like planets circling around the powerful "son" the primary colour scheme, the spaces in between the standing tall statues. your mothers shrine is all about relationship, the mixing of emotion, complex colour mixing, the overlapping as if caressing of every element of her life.
so touching to see them both at the same time. to feel your love and devotion and know there place in your forever heart.
The glass rose may be broken, but it lives forever in your heart!
Handmaid of the Lord
o yes, the teddybear belongs there! Such a Beautiful altar! Happy Birthday!!!
Glorious!!!!!!!!
I have a nativity that I made of......teddy bears( mary joseph, 3 kings, angel, shepherds and jesus!
We all need just 1 bear!
Exquisite. Your father and mother will live forever in these shrines. So happy to have shared these 12 beautiful days with you, Laurie.
An altar should change over the years, becoming fuller and richer, as yours certainly has. And then there will come a time, I think, when some things disappear (by design, of course, not by accident) and your memories will grow fuller and richer.
Thank you for sharing your handiwork and your heart.
girls / boys, they are similar yet so different.. another heartfelt beauty.. thank you for your posts along this pilgrimage, lovely!
Lovely to have been on this journey with you too! Your work is stunning.....you take alter making to a whole new level.
Wishing you peace and joy!
Ruby
I just came by to say thank you and blessed be for the sharing of the past twelve days! I take away with me such inspiration and whispers of what is possible, which is far more than what we expect. have a wonderful holiday!
my darling frined,
you keep pulling me in closer, closer still...to the language of your soul. thank you for your friendship and the devotion of your live to family and beauty.
happiest birthday miss 12*12*12!!
no coincidence at all that you share it with the "heart of the heart of the heart"!!!
i have a deep and mysterious feeling we are going to celebrate your birthday together in 2014 and that lupita will most certainly be with us too!
xoxoxoxoxo
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