Neon and hollow sculpted glass words, 7’ x 10” x 2,” 2013.

The neon running through the penmanship in this work mimics the form of an EKG graph of an unsteady heartbeat, speaking to the undertones and hard realities of the phrase “unconditional love” in its most testing moments.  As a new mother, I was not prepared for how much having a child would impact my mental health in postpartum, my autonomy, and the strains put on my relationship with my partner; We both feel that we never have enough time for our daily needs, let alone self care. As parents, we are to balance the love we give to those we deeply care for - child, partners, family, and friends - and the love and care we need to reserve for ourselves.

Artist Bio:
Hannah Kirkpatrick originally hails from New Jersey. She holds a BFA in Glass from the Rhode Island School of Design and an M.Arch from The University of Michigan. She currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI, working as the Art in Public Director at the Ann Arbor Art Center. Hannah’s work and practice focus on large public art and design projects, collaborative installations and performances, and a craft-based production of glassware and jewelry. She developed her professional career at institutions and in communities such as The Chrysler Museum of Art, The Governor’s School for the Arts, the Norfolk NEON Arts District, Socrates Sculpture Park, Taubman School of Architecture, and many craft schools across the country. Outside the Ann Arbor Art Center, you might find her in the garage making camera obscura installations or engraving glass.