The Animate vs. the Inanimate

The Animate vs. the Inanimate

Life vs. Contemplation

This small dream-like composition shows three strange figures, a bird of prey, and a rooster against an ambiguous background. The top figure is cone shaped. Its striped arms and legs stick out wildly. Its eyes are empty showing its lack of human qualities. Above it to the left is the bird, claws out and wings back, in a position ready to strike On the bottom are two more human-looking figures. On the left is a man with a human face and an abstracted human body, with wings and a tail. A similar abstract human statue stands to the right. The rooster is in between them, flanked by two green plants.
Writing about this painting, Fetherston asked, “In the painting, which is more alive: the bird, which is alive, or the inanimate three statues and the rooster? I think the three statues and the rooster are more alive than the live bird for the bird has to contend with hunger and passions and anger and disease, plus while the three statues and the rooster with their atoms moving inside can think undisturbed. Of the three statues and the rooster, which is more alive? I think the three statues are more alive than the rooster, for I think they wish to eat the rooster.”

Edith Fetherston

Packwood House Museum, 15 N Water St, Lewisburg, PA 17837, 570-524-0404

1930-1939

Please cite Packwood House Museum, Lewisburg, PA when using items in the collection.

Edith Fetherston Oeuvre

oil paint on canvas

16 x 12 in.

Still Image

1972.1657

Sleeping Porch