Annukka Mikkola: Puolinainen & Vesipiika

Completion year: 2024

Technique: Charcoal & acrylic painting and textile printing, mixed media

Size: 95 x110x57 cm

Keywords: Annukka Mikkola, naiseuden keskeneräisyys, jakautuneisuus, haavoittuneisuus, Puolinainen & Vesipiika _ Half-Woman & Water Maiden in the setting

The pair of works symbolically addresses the incompleteness, fragmentation, and vulnerability of womanhood.
Half-Woman is missing her upper body; Water Maiden has no legs — I have replaced them with recycled yarns woven around her waist.
On her back, the doll carries a Barbie doll’s head — could it be Half-Woman’s, or someone else’s?

In turn, a strand from a rag bundle hangs from Half-Woman’s hand. The bundle itself rests on a wooden block, as if waiting — for the blow of an axe, or a gesture of kindness from Half-Woman, perhaps from her mother, whispering: pick me up, don’t leave me behind.

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