The Demon’s Face: An Artist’s Discovery of the Metaphors of Child Abuse

The author discusses his discovery of the influence his experience as a child of an alcoholic family has played in his art. Beginning with two exhibitions of art by himself and other Atlanta artists from abusive backgrounds and using examples from his own work, including drawings, prints, paintings, constructions and performances, he shows how his imagery is related to his childhood experiences and feelings. These relations can be understood as visual analogues of the original abuse, its accompanying objects and gestures and the feelings stemming from it.