The Olive Branch is a dark, oppressive space, but it gets the message across to the women who stay there that the solutions to their problems are in their own hands. Ignoring distractions, Margie finishes her homework for job-training class. Olive Branch Mission, Chicago.

1999

Donna Ferrato

Associated Names
Donna Ferrato

Artist, American, born 1949

The image shows a woman seated on a concrete step in a hallway. She is reading papers, wearing a sleeveless top, dark pants, slippers, and earrings. Various posters and signs are on a wood-paneled wall behind her, one reads "Live the Dream" and another says "PLEASE KEEP YOUR AREA CLEAN." On the floor below her are more papers and a bag. The background includes an EXIT sign above a doorway leading to another room, with a figure in motion visible, an open door, and pipes running along the ceiling.
This object’s media is not available for download. Contact us about image usage.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    gelatin silver print

  • Credit Line

    Corcoran Collection (Gift of Donna Ferrato)

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 50.5 × 40.5 cm (19 7/8 × 15 15/16 in.)
    image: 48.9 × 33.2 cm (19 1/4 × 13 1/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2015.19.5138

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

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

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1999

  • The Way Home: Ending Homelessness in America, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, December 4, 1999 – January 30, 2000

Bibliography

1999

  • The Way Home: Ending Homelessness in America. Exh. cat. Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, 1999: 95.

Inscriptions

on verso, signed by artist, across center perpendicular in graphite: © Donna Ferrato

You may be interested in

Loading Results