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James, the Bug Whisperer, Donna Ferrato, 2012
Donna Ferrato, portraitDonna FerratoAmerican, 1949

James, the Bug Whisperer

2012 · Photograph · 33.6 × 50.8 cm

Can I see it?

Not on view at present

Where is “James, the Bug Whisperer” now? Collection: J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles. Not on view at present. Checked October 7, 2026.

J. Paul Getty Museum

Los Angeles, United States

It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.

Checked
In this state since
Source
The museum
On the mapMuseum page

About the work

A close view of a boy with a bug sitting on his nose.

J. Paul Getty Museum

Details

Accession number
2015.107.14

In the catalog

PhotographsInkjet printContemporary art21st centuryAmerican

Sources

More by Donna Ferrato

All works
It's 3:00 a.m. No way to sleep. Imaginary bedbugs chewing at me. The air is oppressive, like being buried alive. The cries of asthmatic children sniffling, screaming, sleep-talking keeps me on edge. In semi-darkness I wander among the beds, seeing mothers wrapped around their babies, like bears in hibernation. In one lower bunk, I find an exhausted mother, Pam, rocking her wailing week-old daughter. Pams face glows with inner peace. She is one of the lucky ones. She escaped an abusive relationship and found shelter here. Olive Branch Mission, Chicago., Donna Ferrato, 1999

It's 3:00 a.m. No way to sleep. Imaginary bedbugs chewing at me. The air is oppressive, like being buried alive. The cries of asthmatic children sniffling, screaming, sleep-talking keeps me on edge. In semi-darkness I wander among the beds, seeing mothers wrapped around their babies, like bears in hibernation. In one lower bunk, I find an exhausted mother, Pam, rocking her wailing week-old daughter. Pams face glows with inner peace. She is one of the lucky ones. She escaped an abusive relationship and found shelter here. Olive Branch Mission, Chicago.

1999 · Not on view · National Gallery of Art

At 5:45 a.m.Tuesday morning, Margie sprints out of bed to wash and dress herself for her second day of job training at CARA in downtown Chicago. Olive Branch Mission, Chicago., Donna Ferrato, 1999

At 5:45 a.m.Tuesday morning, Margie sprints out of bed to wash and dress herself for her second day of job training at CARA in downtown Chicago. Olive Branch Mission, Chicago.

1999 · Not on view · National Gallery of Art

7:00 A.M.: Margie rides the train to her job-training class in downtown Chicago. Accompanying her is Cherilyn, a resident at the Olive Branch who recently found a job as a home-care worker., Donna Ferrato, 1999

7:00 A.M.: Margie rides the train to her job-training class in downtown Chicago. Accompanying her is Cherilyn, a resident at the Olive Branch who recently found a job as a home-care worker.

1999 · Not on view · National Gallery of Art

A young woman holds her baby brother high. Olive Branch Mission, Chicago., Donna Ferrato, 1999

A young woman holds her baby brother high. Olive Branch Mission, Chicago.

1999 · Not on view · National Gallery of Art

All the other mothers loved Margie, who gave kids free professional haircuts every night. Hopefully, with luck and hard work, her positive attitude will take her far up and away from homelessness. Olive Branch Mission, Chicago., Donna Ferrato, 1999

All the other mothers loved Margie, who gave kids free professional haircuts every night. Hopefully, with luck and hard work, her positive attitude will take her far up and away from homelessness. Olive Branch Mission, Chicago.

1999 · Not on view · National Gallery of Art

In the CARA job-training program, Margie is hungry for knowledge and eager to participate in her studies. She takes copious notes and never hesitates to ask questions. I can see her sense of self-worth returning. I was lucky to meet Margie at a time when she was ready to take control over her life. I spent time riding with her to CARA, and met many people in the same situation. I realize now that being homeless is nothing like the fantasy sleeping on the street, wearing shabby clothes, begging for money. The homeless people I met looked just like me., Donna Ferrato, 1999

In the CARA job-training program, Margie is hungry for knowledge and eager to participate in her studies. She takes copious notes and never hesitates to ask questions. I can see her sense of self-worth returning. I was lucky to meet Margie at a time when she was ready to take control over her life. I spent time riding with her to CARA, and met many people in the same situation. I realize now that being homeless is nothing like the fantasy sleeping on the street, wearing shabby clothes, begging for money. The homeless people I met looked just like me.

1999 · Not on view · National Gallery of Art

Margie's son, Jamont, 9, watches from his perch on a bunk bed as his mother chooses a dress for her job-training class. In the United States an alarming number of children are homeless. Olive Branch Mission, Chicago., Donna Ferrato, 1999

Margie's son, Jamont, 9, watches from his perch on a bunk bed as his mother chooses a dress for her job-training class. In the United States an alarming number of children are homeless. Olive Branch Mission, Chicago.

1999 · Not on view · National Gallery of Art

The Olive Branch is a dark, oppressive space, but it gets the message across to the women who stay there that the solutions to their problems are in their own hands. Ignoring distractions, Margie finishes her homework for job-training class. Olive Branch Mission, Chicago., Donna Ferrato, 1999

The Olive Branch is a dark, oppressive space, but it gets the message across to the women who stay there that the solutions to their problems are in their own hands. Ignoring distractions, Margie finishes her homework for job-training class. Olive Branch Mission, Chicago.

1999 · Not on view · National Gallery of Art

On view at J. Paul Getty Museum

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