Cheryl Harper - Artist

Cheryl Harper
Artist
Resume	Trained as both an Art Historian-Curator as well as a Printmaker-Painter, she misses one when not doing the other. In the last few years she found a balance that enables her to follow both paths. Her work continues to be informed by her curiosity about other artists as well as the world around her. One body of work might be inspired by illuminated manuscripts, yet another by prehistoric symbols, or current events.
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	Regarding Harper's current political body of work, she states, "As in many preceding cultures to our own, the public demands its leaders be icons, stepping into necessary roles acceptable to the masses. My inspiration comes from combining the reputations of these personages with art historical references that seem obvious to me. I document my observations of popular media, and draw from my experiences as a voter with occasional spurts of political activism.

	I grew up in an era where the culmination of a women’s political aspiration was to choose the right dress for an inaugural ball; the best Jackie Kennedy could hope for was to be a lady of mystery. However, female politicians are questionable role models for girls today. Hillary Clinton and Condoleezza Rice are two enigmatic examples. Hillary counts on advisors to hone her image as presidential, but will sit-down for a broadcast with an entertainment reporter and trade diet and fashion tips. *Hillary Sphinx* (I and II) demonstrates her paradoxical situation with cute suits and an ankle bracelet bearing the name of Bill. Condoleezza Rice lectures her contemporary world leaders on proper behavior, for which one supposes there will be no dessert after dinner if they don’t step into line. In the Sphinx series, Hillary and Condoleezza are the sum of their contradictory parts. Hillary is modeled on the Greek sphinx associated with Odysseus. *Condoleezza Sphinx* is inspired by the ancient Egyptian ruler Hatshepsut, a woman in a traditionally male (pharaonic) role.
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	In *Condoleezza’s Cabinet, the Secretary of State balances all of the above: she is the de facto maternal leader in the clubby male world of statesmanship but is not a mother; a diva pianist who holds her own with Cellist Yo-Yo Ma; a celebrity that easily glides along a red carpet; and a fashion icon in the model of Jackie Kennedy. Designers and hotspots of diplomacy share the spotlight in this early American armoire with red shoes. The females closest to the president are in many ways interchangeable in Bush Women as Topiary (mix and match). While Barbara and Laura Bush represent motherhood, Condoleezza Rice statesmanship, and Harriet Miers judicial ken, they live in a fishbowl. We learned Condoleezza was shopping for designer shoes in New York during Hurricane Katrina; Harriet Miers removed herself from nomination for the Supreme Court under public scrutiny of her qualifications; Barbara Bush was the national mother that out-baked then potential first lady Hillary Clinton; and Laura Bush became the unofficial national children’s librarian. As topiary, they are clipped into perfection. They are presentable at any state event but are they maintaining a carefully managed public presence that prevents women from becoming president? In another work about American enigmatic politicians, Al Gore becomes a Teaching Christ figure because of his sacrifice in the 2000 election. It was a very public crucifixion yet he has managed to be reborn as an environmentalist. The Teaching Gore* gives him dignity holding his New Testament, “An Inconvenient Truth”. He stands, barefooted, on the Anti-Christ and Satan. *Deluvian* is homage to Gore’s global warming predictions of a world getting wetter or drier. In this work, New Orleans style shotgun houses are partially submerged while skyscrapers rise above the landscape like mountains against a watery sky. Architectural references continue in Washington Monuments with Reflecting Pool (II); buildings and memorials on the Washington Mall are symbols that reflect into a pool of statements by figures of this administration."

	On this website, Harper shows several bodies of work, documenting the evolution of her art. Her curatorial projects can be viewed by follwing the link on the home page. Use the contact Cheryl Harper link to inquire about availability of specific works.

Sculpture
	Condoleezza's Cabinet, 2006. An early American armoire reveals the Secretary of State's public persona as political pop star, fashion icon, and concert pianist. To view more scuptures, click on the image.

Ceramic Boxes
	Doe a Deer, 2005 is one of a series of narrative boxes about living among deer in her American suburb. Most suburbanites consider the animals as interlopers, but she sees herself as sharing their property. For more boxes, including political narratives, click here or on the image.

Woodcuts
	Distaff Memory IV, 1999. This woodcut is one in a body of work that incorporates symbols and patterns primative women used in fabric and ceramic pottery. Pre-historic women were powerful and mysterious to men. FFor more one of a kind woodcuts, click here or on the image.

Mixed Media
	Deluvian (detail), 2006-7. An installation work, it combines woodcuts, ceramic sculpture, and textile. It is inspired by intense contemporary weather events and biblical ones. Other mixed media works combine woodcuts and paint. For more mixed media works, click here or on the image.