Sixty Six
Sixty Six
A series of miniature self portraits, by decade, from the age of 6 to 56 - with 66 left blank in anticipation. The portraits are approximately 4.5cms.
They’re drawn in pencil on silk chiffon, backed by fine Japanese Washi paper and the borders are embroidered with a single gilded hair. The drawings have not been secured with fixative or any other form of preservative, so over time may disappear altogether - only the gilded hair will remain.
The number six in Chinese numerology is lucky. Gifts of money are often in ‘sixes’ (the more sixes the better) and to reach the age of sixty-six is considered a promise of longevity.
Photography by Jack G Phillips