We Used to Pray Your Dad Would Die

Through the use of illustrated ceramic vessels and scenes of figurative sculpture We Used to Pray Your Dad Would Die is a wide-reaching investigation into the inner workings of communities of women. There is a noticeable lack of a masculine presence within the body of work, as the lived experiences of female protagonists take center stage. My practice investigates how systems of exploitation and restriction enforced on young women diminish their sense of self, and how these systems are established as institutions that perpetuate these dangerous cycles. My hope in creating this series is not just to reiterate the myriad ways in which women and girls are endangered, but also to show how they can liberate each other from harm.

We Used to Pray Your Dad Would Die also gives equal attention to the domestic spaces women construct for each other, and the relationships—be it platonic, familial or romantic—that envelop and uplift them. The love women share is shown in their care and in their anger. My own upbringing is reflected in this work, and from this installation I wish to encourage women to form their own communities of care.

Bio

Seraphina Helen Gillman is a potter and illustrator working in Portland, Maine. Gillman has an expansive studio practice which includes both functional and sculptural work, all aesthetically united by vibrant colors and ornate illustration. She draws inspiration from the relationships she has created with other women to talk about both the mistreatment of women and girls, and the incredible need for community that it creates. Her work can be found through her social media handle.