Kiki Smith is internationally acclaimed for her prints and sculptures representing the human form and its basic functions, particularly the female body. Through sculpture, prints, and drawings she has investigated the natural world, partially in response to her own menagerie of cats and birds. The Art Center has several major prints by Smith; Bandage Girl marks the first sculpture in the Permanent Collections. It is a bronze sculpture, which is one of the three unique forms in the edition. Bandage Girl depicts a young female partially wrapped in gauzes that appear to be deteriorating, exposing her body. The artist suggests that this work functions as a memorial to poor or needy children.
Source: NEWS July August September 2003
Kiki Smith is known for sculptures which present the human form in an elemental manner, with a focus on the female body. In this work, the textured patina that covers the bronze mirrors the bandages that cover the girl and seem to be incorporated into her skin. The bent posture of the girl and the work’s small size add the sculpture’s tone of vulnerability.
Published ReferencesSiri Engberg "Kiki Smith: A Gathering 1980-2005", Walker Art Center, 2005, color ill. pg. 129
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DSM Speaks Audio Tour with Kiranmai Talasila, Community Member
Run Time: 4:41
Recorded by Kiranmai Talasila, CultureALL Community Ambassador / 2022
When I was about 11 years old my sister and I met my paternal grandparents for the first time. My grandmother walked me around the town introducing me to everyone as her son’s second wife’s daughter. My mom’s colleagues thought I was too dark skinned to be her daughter. If I’m not recognized as my father’s daughter and I’m too dark to be my mother’s daughter, who am I really? I am a shy introverted girl who walks around with invisible wounds caused by colorism, culture, and insensitive comments. I apply some invisible bandages and do not express my concerns, even with my parents. At the age of 16 I knew I was a good student with a high focus on academics, I am constantly terrified of attracting any unnecessary attention. I don’t want to be another teenager falling victim of teasing, but when it really happened to me I have shut myself even more. Adding more invisible wounds.
One day my teacher told my parents to stop worrying about my academics and to help me be more open. Taking him seriously I took the first step toward speaking confidently. I got into medical school with the top rank. I met friends at school who respected me for who I am as a person and not for the way I look outside. I started to believe that I am beautiful just the way I am, and I felt more confident. Getting me married on time suddenly became the most important thing for everyone around me. It made me feel suffocated. Unable to meet these expectations I failed my exams for the first time. I feel emotionally neglected. The confidence I had back in medical school is the only anchor that allowed me to stay afloat for many years and continue to work on my wounds. Years later I paused at everything I was doing, so I could take care of my daughters intellectual, personal, and emotional needs. I shared my childhood stories of social importance; she inspired me with her drive to help adolescent girls in India. I started a change makers program and helped more youth find their voice, in return I found mine. I still am the same shy introvert girl, the only difference now is that I am not ashamed of the bandages, and I make them visible, make them colorful, and I make them fun. And I finally call myself a trained extrovert and a self-taught storyteller. I may be a changemaker by chance but I’m a lifelong learner by choice. I never was a victim and never will be.
Kiranmai Talasila Bio
Kiranmai Yarlagadda is a physician by education, 2022 Community Leadership Program graduate of The Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute, an avid meditator, a self taught public speaker/storyteller and the mother of a young Changemaker. Through the "Kooking with Kiran: Stories over Food" project, she wants to bring together her life experiences, cultural & educational background and passion for cooking to address the cultural dichotomy and mental health issues of first generation immigrant youth in our communities. Set to promote meditation and self awareness for ‘Learning Through Vulnerability’, she envisions youth becoming everyday leaders through volunteering and storytellingand finding their “why”.
DES MOINES SPEAKS
DSM Speaks are short audio reflections on artwork in our permanent collection, written and voiced by diverse members of our community. Contributors to this program were selected in partnership with CultureALL and the Des Moines Art Center. We hope by elevating these diverse ways of seeing we can encourage all visitors to connect more deeply and to see themselves and their identities within our walls.
