HANKIES Laser prints, acrylic, beading, batting, embroidery and quilting on vintage handkerchiefs
1.Atlanta Contemporary She Is Here Show 2020-21
2.Atlanta Contemporary She Is Here Show 2020-21
3.Atlanta Contemporary She Is Here Show 2020-21
4.Atlanta Contemporary She Is Here Show 2020-21
Day 1. Feeling Bored 2020
Day 2. Feeling Calm 2018
Day 3. Feeling Cosmic 2014
Day 4. Feeling Queasy 2018
Day 5. Feeling Creaky 2014
Day 6. Feeling Itchy 2013
Day 7. Feeling Rushed 2012
Day 8.Feeling Shaky 2012
Day 9. Feeling Tired 2018
Day 10. Feeling Cold 2013
Day 11. Feeling Even_2020
Day 12. Feeling Iced_2019
Day 13. Feeling Enlightened_2013
Day 14. Feeling Sleepy_2020
Day 15. Feeling Relieved_2013
Day 16. Feeling Erotic_2012
Day 17. Pondering_2014
Day 18. Feeling Springy_2014
Day 19. Feeling Hopeful_2015
Day 20. Feeling Anxious_2013
Day 21. Feeling Drenched_2020
Day 22. Feeling Impatient_2013
Day 23. Feeling Cuddly_2012
Day 24. Feeling Productive_2017
Day 25. Feeling Vital_2013
Day 26. Feeling Disappointed _2014
Day 27_Feeling Unsure_2015
Day 28. Feeling Expectant_2016
Day 29. Feeling Nervous_2016
Day 30. Feeling Free_2016
Day 31. Feeling Theatrical_2014
Day 32. Feeling Groggy_2014
Day 32. Feeling Groggy-detail_2014
Day 33. Feeling Pleased_2016
Day 34. Feeling Existential_2014
Day 35. Feeling Contemplative_2016
Day 36. Feeling Relieved_2014
Day 37. Feeling Weightless_2014
Day 38. Feeling Reborn_2012
Day 39. Feeling Windswept_2020
Day 40. Feeling Pressured_2018
Day 41. Feeling Old_2015
Day 42. Feeling Healthy_2014
Day 43a. Feeling Drained_2014
Day 43b. Feeling Drained_2020
Day 44. Feeling Alive_2014
Day 45. Feeling Refreshed_2016
Day 46. Feeling Nervous_2016
Day 47. Feeling Dull_2016
Day 48. Feeling Doubtful_2017
Day 49. Feeling Sweaty_2020
Day 50. Feeling Satisfied_2017
Day 51. Feeling Scared_2014
Day 52. Feeling Lonely_2020
Day 53. Feeling Reckless_2017
Day 54. Feeling Breezy_2019
Day 55. Feeling Sad_2016
Day 55. Feeling Sad_detail_2016
Day 56. Feeling Moody_2016
Day 57. Feeling Wistful_jpg
Day 58. Feeling Amazed_2019
Day 59. Feeling Cautiously-Optimistic_2017
Day 60. Feeling Compliant_2012
Day 61. Having Faith_2020
Day 62. Feeling Deflated_2017
Day 63. Feeling Icky_2018
Day 64. Feeling Better_2019
Day 65. Feeling Stiff_2014
Day 66. Feeling Prepared_2017
Day 67. Feeling Joyful_2014
Day 68. Feeling Happy_2014
Day 69. Feeling Lazy_2016
Day 70. Feeling Sluggish_2016
Day 71. Feeling Strong_2015
Day 72. Feeling Peppy_2016
Day 73. Feeling Normal_2017
Day 74a. Feeling Healthy_2012
Day 74b.Feeling Healthy_2020
Day 75. Feeling Alive_2012
Day 76. Feeling Athletic_2012
Day 77. Feeling Adventurous_2016
Day 78. Feeling Pumped_2012
Day 79. Feeling Determined_2016
Day 80. Feeling Loved_2012
Day 81. Feeling Peaceful_2017
Day 82. Feeling Inspired_2017
Day 83. Feeling Ready_2015
Day 84. Feeling Thankful_2016
Day 85. Feeling Settled_2017
Day 86. Feeling Pressured_2016
Day 87a. Feeling Helpful_2012
Day 87b. Feeling Helpful_2020
Day 88. Feeling Nostalgic_2015
Day 89. Feeling Content_2017
In this self-portrait series I’m investigating the nature of my Self, which seems to be a mixture of my feelings, thoughts, my deteriorating body and a strong connection to my mother in the guise of her trove of vintage family handkerchiefs that I wore in the breast pocket of my Catholic grammar school uniform. This work is a study of identity as seen through my bathroom mirror, based on 89 photographs that I took on consecutive days in 2009. At the time, I identified my emotion, embodied that feeling on my face, wrote it in lipstick on my forehead and snapped a selfie. I laser printed the 89 photos on Mom’s hankies, and slowly quilted, beaded and painted on the handkerchiefs for ten years during quiet times alone, or sitting with friends. 89 is the number of years my mother lived.
Cecelia Kane’s How Am I Feeling Today (2009–2020) is composed of 89 mixed-media self-portraits on handkerchiefs. Kane began this work in 2009 by photographing herself in the mirror daily after asking herself about her state of mind. She wrote her answer on her forehead in lipstick and then snapped a photo. Kane laser-printed each photo onto 89 vintage family handkerchiefs from her mother that Kane wore in the breast pocket of her Catholic-grammar-school uniform. She added elements of embroidery, paint and collage to make mixed-media self-portraits that are intimately revelatory of her psyche.
Kane spent 11 years beading and embroidering these works. She stopped at 89 — the age to which her mother lived — to be hung together. How Am I Feeling Today is very much in tune with these pandemic times when we all are experiencing personal struggles yet have time for reflection.