Artist: Zae Karee
Title: The 11th Virgin
Medium: Original Mid-Randge Ceramic, Cold FInish
Size: 7'x6" (H: determined by display needs, typically at eye level)
Artist Statement:
A woman walks a dark road.
Though her oil is full, her lamp is dim.
She knows not where she walks or why,
but carries on.
She comes upon ten women.
Some with lamps fully lit, some completely out.
Some with oil full and some without.
As she passes, she hears them argue
“Give us of your oil, for our lamps have gone out”
“Not so, lest there be not enough for us and you…”
They do not notice the lonely woman, 
walking past, with the lamp lit low.
As she continues on the darkened path,
a kind man joins her, 
his continence bright and unwavering.
He speaks to her of all things,
As they walk her lamp grows brighter,
Her oil never running low.
The man is always looking to passersby,
Graciously, he invites them to walk with him.
Many go but some stay.
The group grows large,
 it is merry and joyous, a celebration!
Soon, they come across the ten women,
She watches as they scramble 
to light their lamps and follow the party.
She asks the man, 
“why do they scramble”
He lovingly answers, 
“they have been waiting for the bridegroom,
Some are ready and some are not, 
They cannot follow with empty lamps”
He walks ahead,
His red clothes catching the morning sun.
The woman finds her lamp full and bright,
Grateful for her lonely path
For it lead her to walk with the man in red,
The long awaited bridegroom.