new works

Babette’s Hands, Paper collage panels, 9×4 feet, 2018

Artist Statement

Babette’s Hands. A symbol of humanity. With her hands, she stitches her world. A physical touch given—not taken. With her hands, Babette stirs the soup. A labor of warmth shared. With her hands, Babette kneads the bread. A redemptive pressing. With her hands, she artfully sets the table with each spoon. A whispered prayer for each stranger. With her hands, Babette serves her family. A living testament of fellowship. With her hands, Babette sacrifices all. Lavishly. For her fractured family. Her fractured community. Her fractured world.

Like Babette’s, your hands offer endless possibilities to heal. You, too, can touch another. To celebrate Babette’s Feast a short story by Isak Dinesen, you are invited to trace your open hand on a piece of paper. Our severed world stitched—with your hand, your connections, your intersections. The spirit of inclusion expands. Citizen and refuge. How will you multiply Babette’s sacrifice? On your traced hand, jot a note, a sentence, a word. Then go. Place a spoon. Set a table. Throw a party. Offer hope. To your fractured family. Your fractured community. Your fractured world. Radical grace—embracing the “other.”

Babette’s Feast played at the Theatre at St. Clements located at 423 West 46th St, New York, NY 10036 (just west of 9th Avenue).

#BabettesFeast
@babetteonstage

An artist is never poor.” Babette’s Feast by Isak Dinesen

Do you know the story Babette’s Feast? Babette, once a famous chef, is a refugee, who escapes the French civil war and resettles in Norway. For the next twelve years, she cooks for two deeply religious sisters—without pay. One day, Babette’s financial position changes, so she decides to prepare a lavish feast for the sisters and their neighbors. Overwhelmed by Babette’s generous hospitality, the meal helps heal the broken community.

#BabettesFeast
@babetteonstage

Top image: Babette’s Hands (sketch), Paper collage panels, 9×4 feet, 2018