Migrant Mother, Motherland
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Image from 2024. Printed on archival quality paper.
“The Migrant Mother is at rest but still looks out with weary eyes, wondering how she will feed her children with just frozen Veggies she found in the field. Will her children have to kill another bird so they can eat? We can look through the window to see her, we can even sit under her while we drink our $5 latte - but she’s Oklahoman, a part of our culture, our identity, and besides, the photo is f a m o u s so it’s OK to appropriate her suffering into our aesthetic choices. We can stop to look through glass to see her, and at certain times of day, see First National Center, OKC’s prized beacon of wealth and relevance reflected back. The beautiful art deco Tower was built during the Great Depression in 1931, just 4 years before the Migrant Mother was photographed searching for hope in California. First National Center is set to re open this year (with the help of your tax dollars) and is still seen as a part of OKC’s mythical ascension to “Big League City Status”. It’s wealthy residents and swanky hotel guests will have the opportunity to walk across the street (carefully avoiding the panhandlers, of course) and visit with the Migrant Mother while drinking a bad, overpriced cup of coffee. What will they talk about?”
-February 2022 (image re-shot in 2024)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Image from 2024. Printed on archival quality paper.
“The Migrant Mother is at rest but still looks out with weary eyes, wondering how she will feed her children with just frozen Veggies she found in the field. Will her children have to kill another bird so they can eat? We can look through the window to see her, we can even sit under her while we drink our $5 latte - but she’s Oklahoman, a part of our culture, our identity, and besides, the photo is f a m o u s so it’s OK to appropriate her suffering into our aesthetic choices. We can stop to look through glass to see her, and at certain times of day, see First National Center, OKC’s prized beacon of wealth and relevance reflected back. The beautiful art deco Tower was built during the Great Depression in 1931, just 4 years before the Migrant Mother was photographed searching for hope in California. First National Center is set to re open this year (with the help of your tax dollars) and is still seen as a part of OKC’s mythical ascension to “Big League City Status”. It’s wealthy residents and swanky hotel guests will have the opportunity to walk across the street (carefully avoiding the panhandlers, of course) and visit with the Migrant Mother while drinking a bad, overpriced cup of coffee. What will they talk about?”
-February 2022 (image re-shot in 2024)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Image from 2024. Printed on archival quality paper.
“The Migrant Mother is at rest but still looks out with weary eyes, wondering how she will feed her children with just frozen Veggies she found in the field. Will her children have to kill another bird so they can eat? We can look through the window to see her, we can even sit under her while we drink our $5 latte - but she’s Oklahoman, a part of our culture, our identity, and besides, the photo is f a m o u s so it’s OK to appropriate her suffering into our aesthetic choices. We can stop to look through glass to see her, and at certain times of day, see First National Center, OKC’s prized beacon of wealth and relevance reflected back. The beautiful art deco Tower was built during the Great Depression in 1931, just 4 years before the Migrant Mother was photographed searching for hope in California. First National Center is set to re open this year (with the help of your tax dollars) and is still seen as a part of OKC’s mythical ascension to “Big League City Status”. It’s wealthy residents and swanky hotel guests will have the opportunity to walk across the street (carefully avoiding the panhandlers, of course) and visit with the Migrant Mother while drinking a bad, overpriced cup of coffee. What will they talk about?”
-February 2022 (image re-shot in 2024)
Small = 5x7, Medium = 8x12, Large = 12x18 Sizes subject to slight variation depending on photo.