First of all, as promised, I'll tell you about the meaning behind each of the elements that were part of my Travyvon Martin piece; and then I'll tell you all the news!
So, here goes!
The brick background represents several things: a metaphorical walls:
- walls that keep us out
- walls that keep us in
- walls that prevent us from seeing
- walls that keep us from knowledge
- walls that prevent us from feeling
The colourful patchwork of the wall represents the life that is lost - not only Trayvon Martin's but all of the people: women, men and children whose lives are lost
- through death
- through lack (of education, equal opportunity, and the like)
- through waste (imprisonment, drugs, apathy)
The wall is then whitewashed, because that is what we so often do, as a society, and as individuals when we cover things up, or brush them under the carpet; when we don't want to see what's right before us, when it's easier not to see, when we simply don't want to see. (And that goes for all of us - people of all ethnicities are guilty of this behaviour.)
And then, there's "making things colourless". And what I mean by that, is when someone says to me "I don't see colour", it is the most infuriating thing - the statement leaves me feeling frustrated and blocked, because "nice people" say it - or at least, people who think they're "nice" people. But it's not "nice" to not see colour.
If you don't see colour, you don't see me.(a global me, representing all oppressed populations). You don't see the individual and institutional racism that is pressed upon me, you don't see what imperils me and you don't see the ways that you contribute to it OR the ways you can help.
If you "don't see colour" you're a part of the problem, not the solution,.
You're whitewashing.
When I heard the recording of George Zimmerman that night, and I heard him say as he left his car: "These assholes, they always get away." my heart swelled with fear for my own boys. Mr. Zimmerman's statement is indicative of so many things, but the two things that stand out the most to me are that his use of "these assholes" indicate to me that he already had his mind made up about Trayvon (and by extension, my sons, my brothers, myself); that we are criminals or potential criminals, unwanted, a danger, a threat.
And by saying "they always get away"; he was implying that THIS time - it wasn't going to happen.
The circles near Trayvon's head - yes, they're a halo. Not because Trayvon's a hero or a martyr or a saint, but because to me, he represents innocence, needlessly sacrificed. And that seemed best represented by a halo.
The clock represents time: the passing of it, the seeming fruitlessness of our fight through it and the fact that as time relentlessly goes on, nothing changes.
The clock being on it's side represents broken time. Trayvon's time being ended, and a call for all of us to end what caused his death. Not only George Zimmerman, the events of that night, and his gun; but the deeper issues that allowed (caused?) those things to happen.
The clock being on it's side represents broken time. Trayvon's time being ended, and a call for all of us to end what caused his death. Not only George Zimmerman, the events of that night, and his gun; but the deeper issues that allowed (caused?) those things to happen.
The names in the clock are of course, four of the black children who have died from 1955 to 2006, and whose death's caused an uproar and calls for justice and change, and yet, here we are still. I hand stitched those names - in fact, all of the red and black stitching was hand done, and done roughly for the following reasons:
1. I wanted it to look like someone young did it as a kind of "in memoriam"
2. I wanted it to look like someone emotionally distraught did it
3. More than any of that, I wanted it to look like a human being did it - I wanted imperfection and roughness and human fallibility, as we all are, in this world together.
The jagged lines are gunshot.
Trayvon himself (done in encaustic) represents not only himself but all of our youth of all ethnicities, and the red wax is of course, hyper-real blood.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And now for the news!
I have ten new pieces (TEN!) which will be exhibited at the Rochester Contemporary Art Centre, in June. (I'll show them to you when it's over.)
My Trayvon Martin piece drew the attention of Susan Shie, who contacted me and asked me to be part of her group called Fiber Artists for Hope, who exhibit internationally and create fiber art to provoke thoughtful dialogue, instigate positive social change and promote the pursuit of justice and equality. I am currently in the process of remaking the piece as it has to be about ten times bigger than it is (lol); but it will be in an exhibit called "American Spring: A Cause For Justice" which will travel the world for two years. I will also be producing other work for the group for other, upcoming international exhibitions.
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My piece called, Passage (one of my very first art quilts), will be a featured prop in a play in Philadelphia, with acknowledgement in the playbill and to be used as cover art for the playbill! But I also had to make THAT one bigger. (And the take away from this is, class? lol)
And last, but not least, I've been asked to join the International Quilt Challenge group - a group I wanted to join for quite some time!
Phew! Now do you see why I've been so busy?
See you soon! xo
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I am thrilled for you Kit! I know how much this means to you. A big HUGE congratulations!!!
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Kit. It is a grey Monday here in England and its a bank holiday (we're not getting any spring this year!) but the whole thing is cheered up by your news.
ReplyDeleteYour pieces are very personal. That is another 'block' that I cannot get over and you really deserve the recognition that you are beginning to achieve.
Many congratulations!
Hxx
WOW WOW WOW !!! Kit, I'm doing the happy dance for you - so many good news, it's wonderful. And I just admire how you show and voice your personal opinion. Looking very much forward to share your futher journey with you ;-))) Big big hug, Frauke
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the well deserved recognition!!
ReplyDeleteIt's the kind of "busy" that gives you energy, I know. Wonderful news all around for you. That Trayvon piece will be even more striking in that larger size.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the story on your quilt, thank you for making art with meaning, thank you for speaking out. Susan Shie is a wonderful artist that travelling show will be powerful! Congratulations on all the good news.
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo! That is wonderful news, Kit! Congratulations! It is so well deserved and it will be great to have your work reach a wider audience.
ReplyDeleteOh Kit- I am so happy for you.
ReplyDeleteBut most of all thank you for sharing so poignantly the meaning behind your piece.
Congratulations! What meaningful, powerful, creative work you do!! Sounds like you have some very exciting days ahead!!..I feel very frivolous making HST!
ReplyDeleteKit, that is great. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Little did I know when I commented last week that you should be in a gallery, it was already in the works.
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled for you:) Congratulations!!!! It's all well deserved.
ReplyDeleteWhat to say?
ReplyDeleteFirst congratulations on your journey! Congratulations on your acceptances for your work!
Now for a comment on your "not seeing colour".
There is so much racism in our world. Not just "towards blacks from whites" but blacks against blacks -Africa. North versus south (not just US America but North and South Korea. The hatred of the Nazi's towards other people of all colours. The list is endless. Even growing up we sometimes didn't like the white immigrants in our neighbour hood because they sent their kids to a different school and they swore out the bus window at us. Funny enough that I married one of those "from that immigrant" background although he was never on that "particular bus".
We distrust what is different. We can only hope that when we raise our children we teach them to love others for who they are and teach our children compassion and they spread that word to others by example.
Thank you for spreading awareness.
I can understand your fear for your children from racial profiling. I would fear for my children going to some places for being who they are in places where there is great hatred towards white people. It is not right for any kind of such violence.
Thankyou Kit.
Congrats!!! Well deserved! Thanks for creating such a great piece! I'm so glad that it's going to get a larger exposure, as it's such a moving, poignant piece!
ReplyDeleteI'm late getting here this morning, but do Congratulate you in all your endeavors and the making of your art and openly bringing awareness to the racial problems many of us face. Looks like this is going to be a good year for you.
ReplyDeleteMany congratulations!! Wonderful to think so many more folks will have the chance to see your work up close. Hope I get the chance too!!And so touching to read what your thoughts were behind Trayvons piece too.
ReplyDeleteI wish you every success but more than that, I hope youll make many, many more people think seriously about how they, and we all, behave.
Congratulations! such wonderful news and opportunities filling your life, enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day.
Always, Queenie
Thanks Queenie, Carol and Lori! :) i just wanna dance! And then freak out. Lather, rinse, repeat! lol :)
ReplyDeleteWow, Kit!! A multitude on congratulations for you and your work. Very exciting. Sing out loudly through your work.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Kit. No one deserves the wonderful things that are happening to you more than you do. You have been so faithful and gracious in.sharing you work and process with so many for quite some time. And I was always amazed that you found the time to respond to comments in a personal way. I am truly pleased that good things are coming your way, for you are a true artist and a joy to know in this field of work. I' ll look forward to seeding your work in the traveling show.
ReplyDeleteDee
Thanks so much Dee! It's very kind of you to notice (I do try hard to be a good blogger!) :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I'll certainly let all of you know when I know where it's going. :)
Congratulations! You are so talented!!! Passage was the first of your artworks that caught my attention btw and I've been subscribed to your various blogs ever since.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteFirst, congratulations - you must be thrilled, I have just come across your blog and do really love your work! This is great post and I thoughly enjoyed reading this one and all the others!
Very best wishes,
Barbara - from west of the city!