James, the Bug Whisperer

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 · 未展出 · 国家美术馆

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 · 未展出 · 国家美术馆

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 · 未展出 · 国家美术馆

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

1999 · 未展出 · 国家美术馆

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 · 未展出 · 国家美术馆

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 · 未展出 · 国家美术馆

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 · 未展出 · 国家美术馆

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 · 未展出 · 国家美术馆

Vincent van Gogh

鳶尾花, 1889

Claude Monet

The Portal of Rouen Cathedral in Morning Light, 1894

Claude Monet

Wheatstacks, Snow Effect, Morning (Meules, Effet de Neige, Le Matin), 1891

Claude Monet

Sunrise (Marine), 1872 or 1873

Claude Monet

Still Life with Flowers and Fruit, 1869

Rembrandt van Rijn

Saint Bartholomew, 1661

Rembrandt van Rijn

Daniel and Cyrus Before the Idol Bel, 1633

Rembrandt van Rijn

The Abduction of Europa, 1632