Portrait project: final decisions

I have decided to make two pieces for this project, both of which will explore ambiguity, subjugation, feminism, religion and sexual trauma.

These themes all resonate with me personally and so I'm excited to generate and participate in dialogue about them.

One of the pieces will be a wimple displayed on a mannequin head that mimics the aesthetic of the sitters headdress. I like the idea of using calico because it feels course, rough and puritanical. It's not decorative, it's a functional fabric used for things like slings, structures that support and aid; and in this way has a comforting quality. In my mind, these qualities echo the church. And I like the paradox and ambiguity presented. 

The wimple will be hand embroidered in an amateur slow stitch style. One of the things I am struggling with in my test pieces is embroidering in an amateur style as I have a considerable skill level with sewing. I would love to invite other people with a range of seeing experience, to embroider the piece. If I had more time I would open up collaboration with an organization like Nottingham Womens Centre. Crafting, especially sewing, has historically been one of the only creative expression outlets available to women. And this activity was very often completed in community settings or groups. And very often completed by women who were suffering abuse and or subjugation of some kind. So it feels like a meaningful echo to offer modern survivors of similar trauma the opportunity for catharsis and a platform of voice through a collaboration like this. But I'm not sure the timeline allows for this.

I may still strive for collaboration still, just in a more achievable way. For example, I could offer the opportunity to stitch to friends and family during the holidays. And this would recreate a wonderfully authentic community sampler aesthetic and process.

Currently I am exploring what I would like to write but the phrases, 'Together we rise' and 'Sisters are doing it for themselves' are really standing out for me. I am enjoying the pun included in 'Sisters are doing it for themselves'. And it's also a reference to female choice; female identifying folk may choose to wear a wimple or similar clothing out of empowerment. However this is not always the case, and so 'Together we rise' is a nod to the collective power, health and necessity of feminist principles.

I also like the idea of including a variety of religious scripture and quotes from similarly toxic misogynistic constructs like incel culture. I think it's quite poignant that women are still being objectified, criticised and shamed in almost identical ways even though 1000s of years have passed between the two writing sources. What I want to strike is an accessible balance of thought provoking and ambiguity. I think this pitch of tone will make the work more engaging and powerful. 

Choosing the right text is key.

The second piece will be an upcycled kneeling stool that was originally used for prayer.

I found this perfect base at a reclamation dealers over the weekend which I have bought. The gothic style and dark wood screams church.

I will create a cross stitch to re-upholster it with.  It will be created in a cross stitch style and colour palette that mimics the gloriously cheerful garish amateur cushions and banners that  we can often enjoy in Christian churches.

I think I will stitch words like:

'Just kneel here', or 'On your knees'.

I love the ambiguity and power in these simple phrases.

On a very surface level it's just signage, telling someone how to relate with the object through action. 

They are a simple direction for action that references prayer and religious ritual. It's something a soldier would say. Or an abuser.

I want people to actually be able to kneel on it in the gallery space. (I need to talk with the curator about whether this is possible or not because it may loose some impact if this isn't possible.)

But the phrases also have sinister undertones. They reference subjugation. "Get on your knees!"

If people are able to kneel on it then it throws up an interesting conversation about power construct and how biddable people can be when it comes to authority. It would encourage a conversation about autonomy. About anarchy. About choice. Or not choice. 

I like all of this. 

 

And they also subtly refences sexual activity, its a turn of phrase you could imagine a top saying to their sub as a command for oral sex. It's kink. Or you could imagine an abuser saying to their victim. Combined with the context of the object, this references the sexual traumas associated with religious organisations. and therefore by proxy, all organisations, and how power allows people to abuse.

I have found an open source program online that can create cross stitch patterns and I will play around this week with my design.

And I am talking with cross stitchers/ cross stitch organisation's to make sure that I choose materials that are robust (and will therefore withstand interactivity) and have the aesthetic and visceral qualities that we all expect in kneelers. I want the piece to be garish, amateur, to smell and feel the same. To be and rough on the knees.