Pool of Tears I

Artist: Kiki Smith
Title of Work: Pool of Tears I
Year: 2000
Plate Dimensions: 22″ x 24 3/4″
Material: Intaglio in 1 color with chine colle on Sekishu Gampi laid down on Hahnemuhle paper
Photo Line: © Kiki Smith/ Universal Limited Art Editions, 2000.
Collection Credit: Courtesy of Limited Art Editions

In this print, Smith recalls the Lewis Carroll fairy tale, Alice in Wonderland.  While in wonderland, Alice swims with mice in a sea of her own tears. Immediately offending the first mouse she meets, Alice asks the mouse if he has seen her cat.  Her disregard for the mouse demonstrates Alice’s self-centered and privileged position within her world.  In Smith’s version of the scene Alice eerily floats in space while a number of mice menacingly encircle her, giving the image a darker sentiment. 

–Sophia Yablon ’12, Gund Gallery Associate