Without realizing it, I also picked this piece for a totally different reason. I was impressed that I needed to do a sculpture that related to AIDS, though I have been fortunate that this devastating disease has not personally touched me. I felt very prompted to use my art in some way in connection to the AIDS virus. I had seen the musical stage play Rent several times, and realized this was not an accident. During the last show, I felt one of those promptings I get deep inside when I know I need to sculpt a certain subject. I knew there would be something to sculpt if only I could find it. Like many of the ideas I have for future sculptures, they just sort of 'wait' for an opportunity to become reality.

Subconsciously, I was probably searching all the time for an AIDS subject to sculpt, but I was not aware of the connection when I decided to sculpt the picture of the leaping dancer I had saved for years. I felt really impressed I should sculpt him, and I finally took a minute to read the small article next to the picture. Mr. Jones is HIV positive. When the picture was taken, he had just finished leading his dance company on a national tour of Last Supper at Uncle Tom's Cabin/The Promised Land. This was a three-hour work focusing on AIDS, sexism, and the legacy of slavery.

From the onset I knew my AIDS sculpture would not be a very personal one. I have not emotionally paid the price required to put my own painful memories and feelings in it. But, my heart fills with sadness when I ponder losing so many precious souls so early. Many people have lost loved ones, and there are still so many who are suffering with the disease worldwide. Each individual had or has special gifts to share with us. Bill T. Jones does not believe we should pity him because he is HIV positive. He wants to be able to just live his life normally. He wants us to enjoy his talents ... his ability to leap with liquid power and grace.