The bathroom at the mission is dreary at best, with holes in the walls and floor, peeling lead paint, no toilet paper, showers without handles. Mothers nevertheless keep their children scrupulously clean, singing praise to God. Here, Renee cleans her daughters face with plenty of elbow grease. Olive Branch Mission, Chicago.

Provenance

Donna Ferrato, New York; gift to the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 2009; acquired by NGA, 2015.

The bathroom at the mission is dreary at best, with holes in the walls and floor, peeling lead paint, no toilet paper, showers without handles. Mothers nevertheless keep their children scrupulously clean, singing praise to God. Here, Renee cleans her daughters face with plenty of elbow grease. Olive Branch Mission, Chicago.

1999

Accession Number

2015.19.5134

Medium

gelatin silver print

Dimensions

sheet: 40.5 × 50.5 cm (15 15/16 × 19 7/8 in.) | image: 33.1 × 49.1 cm (13 1/16 × 19 5/16 in.)

Classification

Photograph

Museum

National Gallery of Art

Washington, D.C., United States

Credit Line

Corcoran Collection (Gift of Donna Ferrato)

Related Artworks

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.

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.

Ferrato, Donna

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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.

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I rarely saw kids in the shelter play. Shelter life is a serious game. This baby waits anxiously for his mama to take him to bed. Olive Branch Mission, Chicago.

I rarely saw kids in the shelter play. Shelter life is a serious game. This baby waits anxiously for his mama to take him to bed. Olive Branch Mission, Chicago.

Ferrato, Donna