Spooning

"Maternal Line", India Ink on Paper, 22" x 18", 2011

Let me begin by saying that spooning is not what you think. It was not created on a college campus, nor does it have quite the sexual innuendo that most people today lend it (my apologies for any vernacular adjustments hastily being made).

In fact, the term spooning was created in the 18th century to describe the tradition of

Welsh and Dutch brides receiving a collection of spoons before their marriage, in preparation for their hosting duties that often called for more spoons for serving fruit, dessert, and ice (in fashion at the time). Spoons were also given to these brides to commemorate the sacrament of Matrimony, a custom that lead to the colloquial term “spooning”. Most importantly, spoons were given to the bride by her family, to continue the maternal line into her own family.

I created "Maternal Line" in the aftermath of the death of my maternal grandmother and my approaching wedding day. The layered ink washed drawings of spoons belong to the married women in my maternal family; a spoon with coordinating pattern for each. I wanted to see what a tradition looked like, all together, binding so many families and so many generations. What happens when a spoon is added? Taken away?

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