MN Exclusive

Acton Memorial Library Exhibit Is Offensive to Some

Wood Sculpture Represents an Unhappy Nun

By Amy Contrada
April 9, 2001

The Acton Memorial Library is currently featuring a display of wood sculptures by Acton resident Nancy Carroll.

One of them is considered by some to be an anti-Catholic representation of a nun. The other statues include a coat rack shaped like giant asparagus spears and a colorful chair inspired by the luna moth.

The life-size sculpture of the nun is entitled “Bad Habits.” The viewer first notices the ugly, misshapen, and scowling features on the nun’s face. Her breasts are accented by white porcelain cold-water knobs. One foot in a red high-heeled shoe protrudes from under her habit. The nun is built like a cabinet to be opened. Her chest is filled with a jar of pink marshmallow fluff, a broken mirror, and old photos from a convent. Her lower torso opens up to reveal hot pink ruffles and lacey black undies. Except for respect for the quiet of the library, a recording in her base would play the CanCan.

Some library patrons must have complained because the artist brought in a statement for distribution to curious or offended visitors. Ms. Carroll states:

“It has come to my attention that a few people feel that my nun cabinet is insulting or disrespectful. I am deeply saddened by this. The piece is an expression of intense personal experience. When I was 18 I entered the convent of the Sisters of Notre Dame, and with all of the belief and energy and commitment in me, I intended to be there for the rest of my life as a nun.

“That it didn’t work - was a source of pain, grief and loss for many years. In one way, spending 330 hours building the nun cabinet, mostly carving it by hand, was a way for me to get my habit [nun’s outfit] back.

“The Sisters that I entered the convent with in 1964 have a reunion every year for those who are still nuns and those of us who didn’t stay. At last year’s reunion I showed them pictures of the nun cabinet. They laughed. And they laughed. - For next year’s reunion they want me to drive up with her standing in the back of a pick-up truck with her music booming.

“One of the women who used to be a nun said to me, ‘God gave you a sense of humor. He wants you to use it.’”

The artist is a graduate of Boston College, has an MA in Expressive Therapies from Lesley College and a certificate in woodworking from the Worcester Center for Crafts.

Frank Joyner, President of the Board of Trustees of the Acton library, said that a small sub-committee (consisting of one trustee and one or more others) decides what artwork is displayed in the town building. He said that no special funding is used for exhibits in the public library beyond the normal operating costs.

Concerning the statue, he said, “I don’t find it at all objectionable. I suppose you’ll probably find some small number of people who would object to the Mona Lisa, or Michelangelo’s statue of David, or whatever. But I think it’s perfectly appropriate ... [and] reasonable.”