This piece was created for the EBSQ Ripped-Off Show, 2005.

This is my interpretation of John Borrero's "Redemption". His work is awe inspiring and beautiful in it's unique complexity. Though the work I chose for inspiration is wonderful in it's simplicity. The Redemption girl (I call her Lucy Jane)turned out differently than I had envisioned but then, she already has a life and a form given to her by her original creator. I just fleshed her out a bit and she "lived" for me.

Thank you so much John!

SHE danced, near nude, to tom-tom beat, With swaying arms and flying feet, ’Mid swirling spangles, gauze and lace, Her all was dancing—save her face.

A conscience, dumb to brooding fears, Companioned hearing deaf to cheers; A body, marshalled by the will, Kept dancing while a heart stood still:

And eyes obsessed with vacant stare, Looked over heads to empty air, As though they sought to find therein Redemption for a maiden sin.

’Twas thus, amid force driven grace, We found the lost look on her face; And then, to us, did it occur That, though we saw—we saw not her

By: James Weldon Johnson