(via Barbara T. Smith, Feed Me)

During an event organised by the San Francisco Museum of Conceptual Art in which various male artists performed wreckless and macho gestures like drinking beer and peeing into a metal tub, Smith sat nude in an intimate space inviting audience members one at a time to ‘feed’ her. The room contained an oriental rug-covered mattress, a sink, incense, body oils, shawls, books and music. The artist offered tea, wine and marijuana that she could be fed in exchange for ‘conversation and affection’. In the background, a taped loop played “Feed Me, Feed Me” over and over again.

Smith has explained that the image she projected of herself reflected both the fantasy and the reality of femininity; by presenting herself as mother, courtesan and artist she opened up the possibility that all these identities can co-exist.