M by Marcella Green

Whimsical yet somber, "M" tells a fictional tale of an afterlife journey in image and text which acts as a metaphor for the author’s real life experiences processing grief and embracing her identity as a motherless daughter. The story is told in two parts: a sequence of images followed by a child-like chronicle. The pictures are a blend of original works from the artist and selections from her family archive. The writing style is inspired by J. M. Barrie’s "Peter Pan" and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s "The Little Prince." Together, the imagery and writing move toward an acceptance of quiet absence.

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praise for "M" :

Marcella Green’s "M," layers home, time and grief through image and text. Green’s short book of photographs and writing present a gift and reminder that sliced strawberries can look like broken hearts and suggests that mourning (seemingly anchored by loss and longing) can take us places we’ve known, but rarely reimagine. Here, Green delights us by revisiting the familiar and mourning with her imagination.

—Andre Bradley

Marci Green's latest book/zine project continues to echo sentiments of care. She has crafted a kind of ode to her mother that is reflective of their presence together. The images throughout the book are ones that call attention to the minor gestures and nuances of not only looking but considering things as they exist; as having their own place and presence in the world. What one might be left with is a renewed understanding of how relative everything is and how questions, longings, regrets, love can be seen and sensed through our looking practices. And our looking can be a part of our wellness.

— David Herman Jr., Ph.D.

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Images, text, and design by Marcella Green.
Printed by Newspaper Club on improved newsprint.
Publishing date: June 1, 2024.