Where I Get My Ideas

Our NYC chapter of the Historical Novel Society took a field trip a couple of weeks ago to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan. One of the exhibits we visited was titled Costume Art in which various artists created garments inspired by other objects from the Met’s collections. Each garment was displayed on a mannequin with a flat mirrored face so the observer could “see” themselves in the art piece. Many pieces were beautiful. Many were weird. Others were amusing or poignant. A few times I found it difficult to see how some pieces related to the original objects until I read the descriptions. I was awed by the sheer weight of the talent displayed in that huge Gallery 099—all inspired by the art of others.

It reminded me of why I decided to write. Forty-five years ago (yes, I’m old!), I visited a travelling exhibit titled The Dinner Party conceived and executed by the feminist artist Judy Chicago. Dozens of women worked on the huge installation which consists of a triangular table set with 39 places (13 to a side) representing women who had made significant contributions to history from pre-historic goddesses to Virginia Wolf  and Georgia O’Keeffe. Each setting has an original ceramic plate and cloth runner embroidered in many styles, reflecting the life of the woman represented. The tiles on the floor include the names of an additional 998 women and one man.

Like the Met exhibit, the sheer size of The Dinner Party installation and volume of work by artists in myriad media took my breath away. I bought the accompanying book, studied it, and fell in love with several of the “guests” including the Lady Philosopher Hypatia of Alexandria. Over the next several years I collected information on Hypatia and eventually wrote my debut novel Selene of Alexandria which featured Hypatia as a major supporting character. I replicated this journey from art to word in several other of my projects. Sword of the Gladiatrix was inspired by an engraved stone slab I saw in the British Museum showing two women gladiators. On that same trip, a “bog body” exhibit inspired an historical fantasy story. I’ve drawn inspiration from art for smaller details in my work, as well. There’s nothing like seeing a gold Celtic torc, Pompeiian fresco, or an Egyptian mummy portrait to add authentic detail to descriptions. I’m sure art inspires many other writers and artists in different media. Next time you’re feeling uninspired about a project, maybe enjoy a day out at the museum.

Fun facts about the Dinner Party:

• The male sculptor Kresilas was mistakenly identified as a women named Cresilla in 1804 and The Dinner Party ladies included him in the floor tiles. Lucky guy.
• All three of my Theodosian Women—Galla Placidia (Twilight Empress), Aelia Pulcheria (Dawn Empress), and Aelia Eudocia nee Athenais (Rebel Empress) have tiles on the floor. They rest in good company.
• Boudicca who is also a major supporting character in Sword of the Gladiatrix is “seated” next to Hypatia. I wonder what they talked about?
• The Dinner Party is now installed at the Brooklyn Museum, so I can visit whenever I’m feeling nostalgic!