Material Witness
A mixed-media exhibition by Nancy Marks
Material Witness uses print and poetry to bridge past and present. Rooted in my mother’s childhood experience hiding in Nazi-occupied France, I draw parallels to today’s immigrant struggles in the US. The exhibit features 25 drypoint prints, original poetry, and personal quotes on displacement and survival.
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CLICK HERE for PDF of Material Witness artwork and exhibition information**
Click Here for Material Witness on Campus
Material Witness is available for display throughout the country, with a talk by Nancy Marks.
Please reach out to bring Material Witness to your community or organization.
Recent places Material Witness has been displayed as a pop-event or extended exhibition:
2026: SoNa Contemporary Gallery, Chicago IL
2026: Boston's Workers Circle, Brookline MA
2026: Temple Emanual, Newton MA
2025: Barnum Gallery, Tufts University
2025: Gallery 53, Boston MA
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Reflection/Confession
by Nancy Marks
Forgive me if I forget
that it’s 2025
and not 1942.
Forgive me if I forget that it’s Massachusetts
and not occupied France,
the place where my mother
hid in darkness.
The boots, then, were worn by Nazis.
Today, they are worn by ICE.
The people in hiding, then, were Jews.
Now they are Brazilians, Haitians, and Dominicans,
stilled into silence by the pounding on their doors.
Later, when I get into bed,
I will put on glasses and open my book.
In time, I will lean over
and turn off the light.
Questions still loom:
ones which chased me as a child,
and keep me writing poems as an adult.
What would I have done then?
What will I do now?
In the morning
I hope I will like the person
I see in the mirror.
