Susan McLean
Child's Play
When did you learn that being female meant
you're never equal, always lesser than?
That the human race was fixed since it began?
That "Chatty Cathy" wasn't a compliment?
That Betsy Wetsy couldn't be a boy?
Neither could Tiny Tears, "the doll that cries
real tears." Not meaning to infantilize,
they sapped your self-esteem with every toy.
Your brothers played with trucks and Matchbox cars.
They roughhoused and dug tunnels in the dirt.
Your father nicknamed you Miss Priss. It hurt.
You had a tiny tea set; they had wars.
It's easy to make a girl a living doll.
Why cut you down? You were already small.
Window or Aisle
Convenience and comfort don't beguile
the ones whose needs are few.
The politicians choose the aisle.
The poets choose the view.
How much are elation and wonder worth?
I can't resist. Who could?
How many times will I leave the earth
before I leave for good?
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| Rounded in deep compassion for the human experience across borders, Mizrachi explores both the spiritual and physical dimensions of being human, and in particular, female. Often times, the female figure in various mythical iterations intersects with earthbound feminine forms as a means to communicate and transmit social consciousness. Mizrachi’s intentions include the empowerment of self and others through artistic expression, as well as advocacy for women, youth, and the environment. Family, community, and tribe are also recurring themes and are approached as active spaces of shared engagement.
In recent years, Mizrachi’s studio practice has developed into a testing ground for explorations in assemblage, sculpture, and installation that has transformed both her painting practice and decades of work as a muralist. Moving beyond paint, her small scale pieces have become sculptural drawings and her murals have become outdoor wall installations. Both styles of work have taken on new life as three dimensional geometric forms.
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