Linda's Chair

Snowdome with Oranges, Linda Carson, 1993

Mixed media including chair, oranges & glass globe (filled with water, lace, paper, leather and so on) approx. 1m tall, .4m wide, .4m deep

Collection of the University of Saskatchewan

What you're looking at is an installation view of Snowdome with Oranges at my graduating show for my M.F.A. at the University of Saskatchewan, about a lifetime ago. The piece features a golden chair with a "leopardskin" seat, perched on four fresh oranges. On the seat of the chair is a glass globe about 20cm in diameter, filled with water, lace, leather and a peculiar book-like bundle of folded paper. From the door you could see this one piece day and night. (Also in this slide, behind the chair, you glimpse a plank which was part of the installation Plank Path and Berry Bricks that threaded throughout the entire gallery.)

The University required each student to donate a piece of work from their graduating show to the school's collection, chosen by the supervising committee. My committee forgot or neglected to tell me which piece they planned to commandeer, so I left them this one. I love the idea of someone trying to keep this safe in a cupboard somewhere while the water evaporates away and the oranges mummify. I really love the idea that I am still causing trouble there even after I'm gone. Besides, the piece wouldn't travel worth a damn.