Esther

Esther is an homage to all women who are fighting breast cancer. She has no facial features because she is everybody. She sits, triangulated, strong and determined to fight.

Esther was a very good friend of mine. A public official devoted to people and her community. In 1999, just before I left for my second trip to sculpt in Pietrasanta, Italy, she was diagnosed with lung metastasis. I had taken care of her after her mastectomy and now I wanted to help her during this unwelcomed setback. Although I had decided to postpone my trip, Ester refused my help and was adamant that I go. I went.

The unfinished piece came back to Seattle in November and was completed in 2000. Esther was still fighting her cancer. She refused to see it for four months after it was installed in my studio.

When the time was right, she visited and looked at it for nearly an hour. Her words: “It is not ugly! I thought it would be. Cancer is so very ugly but she is beautiful, strong, stubborn and fighting”.