Louise Bourgeois
Spider
(1997)
To begin with, I want to start by saying that I consider the series of installations Cells that were created by the artist Louise Bourgeois to be something very close to me, both emotionally and mentally. I am still amazed at how she was able to show different types of pain through a series of these installations. Physical, mental and even intellectual! Looking at this work of art, it's like watching the entire autobiography of the artist herself, through the prism of these installations, Louise shares her traumas, fears and, of course, the heartache she experienced in her childhood.
Among all her installations of the Cells series, I was most interested in the work Spider (1997). Initially, I thought the spider symbolized the toxic parental protection of the child from the outside world, the constant observation of her every action, where Louise looks like a lost butterfly under the constant close supervision of a predator. But, as they say, one should never judge a book by its cover.
After careful research and understanding of the true meaning that Louise tried to show in this installation, this work became even closer to me than I thought. In Louise's interpretation, the spider symbolizes her mother, but not as an evil and bloodthirsty spider, but as a strong defender, ready to attack anyone who dares to touch her child.
It reminded me a lot of my own relationship with my mom, which made me feel incredible respect not only for Louise, but also for her mother. It is also surprising that this installation has different interpretations, depending on the angle from which to look at it.
Citations:
Barret, T. (2008) Why is that Art? Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Manchester, E. (2003) Louise Bourgeois’ Cell - Eyes and Mirrors. Tate
Available at: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/bourgeois-cell-eyes-and-mirrors-t06899 (Accessed: 17 December 2021).
Kawecki M. (2017) Louise Bourgeois' Structure of Existence: The Cells. Champ Magazine.
Kawecki M. (2017) Louise Bourgeois' Structure of Existence: The Cells. Champ Magazine.
Available at: https://champ-magazine.com/art/louise-bourgeous-structure-of-existence-the-cells/ (Accessed: 17 December 2021).
Louise Bourgeois. Structures of Existence: The Cells (2015) Haus der Kunst.
Available at: https://hausderkunst.de/en/exhibitions/louise-bourgeois-structures-of-existence-the-cells (Accessed: 17 December 2021).
Pierrel, C. (2021) A Psychoanalytic Exploration of the Work of Louise Bourgeois: Trauma, Therapy and Catharsis. Yiara Magazine.
