This work Jennifer Greenburg belongs to an emerging series: Decorated Photographs. In days as convoluted as ours, playful subversion is a savvy tool. A sister-project to Revising History, this work also begins with found vernacular images. Greenburg’s intervention in the work here is done using a language of craft; she applies silver-leaf onto archival prints (from vernacular negatives). This work is decorative yet sharp. Impetus for Handmaiden frowns grounds in current events, with an intent to combat if not warn against a looming future. Greenburg writes of this work:

The swearing in of Amy Coney Barrett to the United States Supreme Court foreshadows the impending loss of rights women are about to experience in this nation. In preparation for the inevitable, I have created Decorated Photographs, a body of work made by embellishing vernacular photographs. Recalling Miriam Schapiro’s femmage art, I relegate myself to women’s activities, as a subversive act representative of my anger.

Viewers can expect more forthcoming images to contextualize thoughts that reveal and challenge structures of American hegemony. As a Jewish-American woman, Jennifer Greenburg is often alienated and frustrated (if not confused) by “religious” holidays that seem more commercial than sacred, more pagan than liturgical. Dogma seems at best an implement of distraction and at worst mechanisms to impose control over citizenry.

A portion ($150) of the acquisition proceeds will be donated to Planned Parenthood.
The Artist produced this work in an edition of 3; each work was then hand-embellished with silver leaf, thus each is unique.