Disabled Lamps

Artwork Overview

The “Disabled Lamps” series consists of five paintings, grouped into two separate compositions: one pair and one triptych. This series uses the motif of lamps to explore themes of identity, functionality, and the resilience of those navigating life with disabilities. The lamps, both as literal objects and metaphors, highlight the interplay between light (visibility) and structure (adaptability).

Connections to Artists

Edward Hopper
The “Disabled Lamps” series evokes the atmospheric and contemplative qualities found in Edward Hopper’s work. Hopper’s use of light as a narrative device aligns with the lamps’ symbolic representation of identity and the human condition. The contrasting backgrounds further emphasize isolation and resilience, reflecting Hopper’s themes of solitude and introspection.
Source: Levin, G. (1995). Edward Hopper: An Intimate Biography. Rizzoli.
Louise Bourgeois
The sculptural quality and abstract forms in “Disabled Lamps” parallel Louise Bourgeois’s explorations of vulnerability and resilience. The textured surfaces and layered meanings reflect Bourgeois’s ability to transform everyday objects into profound statements about human experience.
Source: Morris, F. (2008). Louise Bourgeois. Tate Publishing.

Connections to Movements

Symbolism
This series resonates with the Symbolist movement, where objects and forms are imbued with emotional and philosophical depth. The lamps represent more than their functional role, becoming a metaphor for the disabled experience, resilience, and the interplay between light and shadow in life.
Source: Lucie-Smith, E. (2007). Symbolist Art. Thames & Hudson.
Modern Assemblage
The layering of textures and integration of abstract forms reflect principles of Modern Assemblage. The series combines painterly techniques with sculptural elements to create a sense of depth and storytelling.
Source: Elderfield, J. (1992). Modern Painting and Sculpture. The Museum of Modern Art.

Connections to Teaching

Educational Themes
The “Disabled Lamps” series can be used in classroom discussions about symbolism and narrative in art. Students can explore how everyday objects, such as lamps, can carry deeper meanings and reflect societal issues.
Source: Eisner, E. W. (2002). The Arts and the Creation of Mind. Yale University Press.
Art Therapy Context
This series demonstrates the therapeutic potential of using personal symbols in art. The lamps act as a vehicle for expressing emotions and experiences related to disability, making it a useful example in art therapy settings.
Source: Malchiodi, C. A. (2007). The Art Therapy Sourcebook. McGraw Hill.

Writing for Portfolio

The “Disabled Lamps” series uses the motif of light to explore resilience and adaptability. The paintings’ textured surfaces and layered compositions mirror the complex, often unseen experiences of living with disabilities. Drawing from Symbolism and Modern Assemblage, this series transforms ordinary objects into profound metaphors for personal and collective narratives. Inspired by artists like Edward Hopper and Louise Bourgeois, the series engages viewers in a dialogue about visibility, function, and strength.

Sources:

Levin, G. (1995). Edward Hopper: An Intimate Biography. Rizzoli.
Morris, F. (2008). Louise Bourgeois. Tate Publishing.
Lucie-Smith, E. (2007). Symbolist Art. Thames & Hudson.
Elderfield, J. (1992). Modern Painting and Sculpture. The Museum of Modern Art.
Eisner, E. W. (2002). The Arts and the Creation of Mind. Yale University Press.
Malchiodi, C. A. (2007). The Art Therapy Sourcebook. McGraw Hill.