“Mark began dying of AIDS long before I began trying to conceive, both of us racing against the inevitability of time” begins the story of a lesbian couple trying to get pregnant through artificial insemination, while their best male friend is dying of AIDS. The two couples’ trip to Bali becomes a metaphorical journey between birth and death and a moving account of what it means to create an alternative family. The poignant text combines with lush imagery of Balinese scenes and colorful woven, batiked and dyed fabrics that were scanned on a flatbed scanner. A pouch made of multi-colored Balinese sarongs contains this artists’ book whose design is inspired by traditional palm-leaf books. Indonesian teak covers are held together by a central red cord and batiked wooden beads.

2005, 3.5 x 12” Edition of 100. Written and designed by Cheri Gaulke and Sue Maberry, and based on the award-winning videotape, Sea of Time.  Digitally printed on an Epson Stylus Photo 2200 with archival inks and Epson watercolor paper. Made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles, Cultural Affairs Department.

Available for $150 from Cheri Gaulke or Vamp & Tramp.