ARTIST STATEMENT

Textiles are inherently feminine and carry a long and complex history with them.  I recognize and learn from past female artisans’ cultures and histories, but to attempt to emanate their style and technique would be redundant.  Instead, I use modern materials to create needlework founded in centuries of practice.  It’s both sincere and ironic.  Sincere because I choose to make work by hand that could otherwise be made by machine, giving it a human presence; ironic because all of my materials are made, at least in part, by machines.

Many would point out that needlework has been relegated to craft because of it’s status as women’s work – to bring it to the art world must then be making a statement about craft and womanhood.  However, I don’t find that the use of textiles in my work is a feminist statement.  Art does not exist in a vacuum, and I realize that many people will interpret my art in a socio-political context.  In the context of my practice, creating needlework is a peaceful and meditative process, and, ironically, escapist.  The appeal to me of creating work is the process of piercing, sewing, and manipulation of materials. 

My work is process based, and I have no interest in creating an image or likeness, only an object, similar to minimalist aesthetics.  Because my works are objects rather than representations, it is difficult to classify them as painting or sculpture.  I am interested in perpetuating this blurred line between the two- and three- dimensional within my work; particularly via the way my work is displayed.