Mitzi Goldberg Leaves Town
I was in New York City on Federal Government arts grant to work with the doyen of visual theatre, Robert Wilson, and had to find cheap accommodation close to the rehearsal space in a very dangerous Harlem.
When I walked into The Wales Hotel on Madison Avenue the ancient receptionist pointed me upstairs with a throwaway line “Honey, after the 10th floor you can do what you like with it."
I was sent to the 13th floor as the old lady staying there was moving out.
This was the spirited but frail Mitzi Goldberg who had lived here for many years but a bad fall on the ice was waiting for her son to take her away.
This painting is based on what I remember seeing: a room covered in white talcum powder with the imprints of slippers over the floor. Mitzi pulled open the window curtains and said “Isn’t the view beautiful?” It was of a grimy brick wall.
Mitzi, old with failing eyesight and on 2 walking sticks due to the recent fall had the indomitable New York chutzpah.
As you can see she remains an indelible image even after 35 years.