One of Linda Montano’s “chicken books”, a series limited to 111 books and periodicals from Montano’s personal library, each one decorated with an original gouache or pencil drawing by her of a chicken (perhaps in ecstasy?). The “chicken drawings” range from small compositions to full-page explosions. All drawings are unique and original. Most copies bear the written statement: “From the archive of Linda May Montano.” The edition itself is the product of a performance of sorts. The books reflect many of Linda Montano’s deepest and most consistent interests: feminism, performance, spirituality, Asian and Native American thought and religion, and individual artists. Most of the books contain contributions by or about her, Book conditions runs from cloth binding in dust jackets to a few well-worn mass-market paperbacks.
ART IN EVERYDAY LIFE is a 1981 publication from Linda Montano. The artist presents her life as a set of performative artworks, each described first as Art (the project itself) and then a second time as Life (personal description of the situations and thoughts that informed the project). In an introduction she reflects on her studies and work, and questions her influences. She also includes a collection of interviews with family members, a scholar, and an artist, as well as excerpts from her video “Learning to Talk“ (1978), where she acts as seven characters, including a French poet, a Missionary sister, a country western musician. The publication concludes with one of her most powerful works, “Mitchell’s Death”, which mourns her ex-husband’s unexpected death, describing her reaction when she first heard news, the days following his death, and her attempt to confront the loss and transform it into art.