“Mouth & Toes: The World of 19th Century Silhouette Artists with Disabilities”
A collaboration of Laurel Daen and Marianne R. Petit.
The book tells the stories of the performative world of disabled and atypically figured artists working in the very popular and affordable alternative to portraiture, the silhouette. Artists include Martha Ann Honeywell, Sarah Rogers, and Nellis Saunders. The book additionally explores the role of the Peale Museum, the physiognotrace, and the work of Moses Williams, former slave of Charles Peale and master silhouette artist.
Book formats include an interactive “crankie”/moving panorama, a printed scroll/accordion book, hand-held flip-books, and eBook. It also contains online galleries featuring the work of the featured artists.
Completed through a Jay and Deborah Last Creative Artist Fellowship at the American Antiquarian Society (summer 2020). The piece will debut at “The Body & Story” a solo exhibition of Marianne R. Petit at the Northwest Arts Center, Minot State University, Minot, MD.
Please visit https://mouthandtoes.net/.
Fellowships:
• 2020 American Antiquarian Society: Creative and Performing Artist / Writer Fellowship (Worcester, MA)
Exhibitions:
– 2021 Marianne R. Petit “The Body & Story”, a solo exhibition.
Northwest Arts Center, Minot State University, Minot, ND
Conference Presentations:
– 2021 The Examined Life Conference, University of Iowa College of Medicine, (Iowa City IA) (Upcoming)
– 2021 Graphic Medicine UnConvention (Virtual) (Upcoming)
– 2021 American Antiquarian Society Virtual Presentation (Upcoming)
– 2021: Graphic Medicine UnConvention (Virtual) (Upcoming)2020: Graphic Medicine, Toronto, Canada. Presentation: “Mouth & Toes: The World of 19th Century (Performative) Silhouette Artists with Disabilities” (Presentation accepted / conference canceled due to COVID-19)
Marianne R. Petit 