Hands holding a wooden bowl
Acrylic on masonite, 13 3/16 x 20 1/2 in. (1998)

Holding something old, well-used, cracked . . . reminded me of our earth, hence the bowl as a metaphor.

We might consider throwing away such damaged and worn items, while people in other parts of the world would consider repairing it, or keep using it as is. In our western culture, the cost to repair the bowl may well exceed its purchase price at box stores like Walmart, hence we will likely throw them away. Hand-made things are especially vulnerable given our high cost of living, making a hand-turned bowl affordable only by the well-to-do.