Cat. No. 148

My Wounded Father

Themes: Body Parts, Fabric Works, Figures, Motherhood & Family
Techniques: Digital
Support:: Fabric
Dimensions:: sheet: 7 1/2 x 8 1/2" (19.1 x 21.6 cm)
Signature:: "LB" right lower margin, stitched in red thread.
Publisher: unpublished
Edition:: Unique
Background:: This photographic composition was digitally printed on fabric at a commercial printshop.

Bourgeois created “My Wounded Father” for possible inclusion in the illustrated book, “The Trauma of Abandonment,” seen below in Related Works in the Catalogue. If Bourgeois had added this composition, the book would include 13 pages; she decided against it because the number 13 is considered bad luck.

Bourgeois did another book comprised of old family snapshots, titled “Album,” which was published by Peter Blum Edition in 1994. See below in Related Works in the Catalogue. That volume traces her childhood years and ends with her as a working sculptor. It includes some of the same images as those found in “The Trauma of Abandonment,” as well as two additional images of her father in uniform.
Curatorial Remarks:: This impression has light staining, as is commonly found in the old fabrics Bourgeois chose to use as printing surfaces.

The composition dimensions of this impression could not be documented because this work is not in MoMA's collection and could not be examined in person.
Description:: Photographic digital print, with red thread additions