THE WELCOMING HANDS
The sculptures located in the Giardino della Meridiana create a compelling dialogue within this historic setting. The Welcoming Hands invites viewers to pause and engage with themes of mutuality and security, while Spider challenges them to consider maternal protection and the drives toward autonomy and escape. Together, they provoke reflection on the balance between holding close and letting go, shaping our interactions and environments.
The Welcoming Hands, a series of six sculptures, represents Bourgeois’s relationship with Jerry Gorovoy, her close friend and long-time assistant. Cast from their intertwined hands and enlarged, these bronzes imbue their bond with monumentality and permanence. Hand poses, traditionally seen in classical sculptures, are reinterpreted with biographical specificity and psychological depth. The Welcoming Hands symbolizes Bourgeois’s powerful lifelong fear of abandonment while offering a gesture of connection to all who pass, representing a profound interplay of dependency, intimacy, and trust. Their presence, reflecting the universal human need for companionship and protection, provides a comforting counterpoint to the imposing sculpture at the end of the alley.