By Mary Gow, Promise of the Red Envelope
Happy New Year!
This is a painting I created that includes a shredded red envelope. It’s the kind of envelope I would get from my parents on special occasions like my birthday or college graduation. This piece is titled “Promise of the Red Envelope,” because when I was growing up, I felt a certain sacredness about the red envelope. As though it had some special powers. And my acceptance of it from my parents implied obedience. So why did I tear this one up? For art’s sake.