Exquisite Corpse 13 - Her patchwork attire perfectly mirrored her essential quiddity.
Exquisite Corpse 13 - Her Patchwork Attire
© Natalie Schorr 2023
A quiddity is a peculiarity. That’s pretty much my world.
I’ve never been too good at conforming, which is fine for me but not so great for my parents and siblings who love an orderly, conforming world. Surely the pandemic would have disrupted that, but apparently not as everyone seems to have slipped back into their old ways.
I have a big solo show coming up at the North Carolina A&T State University galleries. It’s my first big solo show, and I’ve been working like a fiend every night after work and weekends for the past few months to get ready. I mentioned it vaguely to my older brother, who seems to like me despite my quiddities, but I’m unsure what to do about my mother and younger siblings.
My mother won’t come to see the show primarily because she is physically unable, and that’s certainly for the best. She would only be confused.
My younger siblings, however, are likely to be embarrassed on some level - pick a reason, any reason - so I’m unsure how to deal with them. I suppose the thing to do is invite them and in the same breath say they are under no obligation to come. That should absolve me of the faux pas of not inviting them while giving them an out to say they are busy for the next two months. This way we can remain on speaking terms, sort of, and they don’t have to be exposed to stuff that will doubtless make them uncomfortable.
Everyone else I know or have ever met for more than two seconds is invited, which includes you. I hope you will be there too.