Life without Instruction

by Sally Clark

Life Without Instruction is based on a true story and a real trial. Artemesia Gentileschi’s father, the late-Renaissance painter Orazio Gentileschi, takes the unusual step of having his daughter trained in the art of painting under the instruction of his friend, Agostino Tassi. Tassi rapes Artemesia, and is taken to trial by both Artemesia and Orazio. As usual, the person really on trial in this rape case is the woman, who is publically humiliated and forced to endure the torture of thumb screws. Yet through this ordeal Artemesia not only emerges as a strong and independent woman: She comes into her own as a talented painter. Finally defying the manipulations of the men who had taken it upon themselves to orchestrate her life for her, Artemesia defiantly says to one of them—her father—“I’m not your little girl, anymore. I’m something else. Something truly unspeakable. An artist!” Sally Clark describes Life Without Instruction as “a revenge play.”

Cast of three women and five men.

Genres: Plays

168 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Sally Clark is a playwright, filmmaker and painter. She is the author of several plays, which include “Moo,” “The Trial of Judith K.,” “Jehanne of the Witches” and “Life Without Instruction.” Her plays have received a Chalmers Award, two Dora Mavor Moore Award nominations and a Governor General’s Award nomination.

In 1992, Sally Clark was a Resident at the Canadian Film Centre where she wrote and directed her short film, “Ten ways to abuse an old woman.” It won the Special Prix du Jury at the Henri Langlois International short film festival. Her short film, “The Art of Conversation” won the Bronze Award for Best Dramatic Short at the Worldfest Charleston Festival.

Reviews

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's really well written and interesting, but has some truly bizarre shifts in tone considering the subject matter. In some ways the humour seems gotesque which I actually think works well with the idea of "art is life" because it shows that the latter is distorted by perspective

[Cara (Wilde Book Garden) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars