My Childville 05/2008 Theatrical and architectural, this giant gown resembles a prop of former times and the skirt divides with a tent-like opening. Within the skirt, an enclosure houses several white rats within a terrain of recycled materials. The fairytale pairing of gown and rodent is proverbial. The scurrying creatures within the fantastic environment suggest the potential for transformation, yet they are held in check by the crinoline-shaped cage. The sculpture references a period in Santa Barbara history when Lillian Child, a wealthy landowner, allowed a shantytown to be built on her expansive property. Dubbed Childville, the area solely housed male tenants who lived in shelters fashioned from refuse. Ominous and celebratory, the sculpture suggests the complexity of the Childville effort. medium: Mixed Media