narrative fiberwork
Midway through the ongoing pandemic, utilizing materials at hand, what was once a curtain is torn, stained and painted with natural dyes and ink. Appliqued layers of altered remnants of tattered heirlooms accompany narrative stitches. Slow restorative work. Handwork holding memories of my mother, aunts and sisters who often had knitting, needlepoint, embroidery or rug hooking projects in progress to calm inner worlds of nonlinear, neurodiverse habits of thought.
The story being told holds despair and hope. It is shorthand for deeper ongoing discussions in small groups guided by the tactile mark. Historically gendered work being rendered by a contemporary scribe, stitching, mending the imagery and meaning that holds the confusion being balanced by sixteen words, a seed, several figurative gestures and lines in motion.
Seed.
Animals Without Backbones.
Interdependence.
Stretch. Belonging. Loving Endlessly
Rest. Repair. Dying Needlessly.
Seed. Change. Repeat Cycle.
The resulting 6 panels support a tactile reading that gives just enough information for each person to make their own unique translation to hold, and move forward with and through despairing times with some added insight.