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This piece is a response to the ongoing efforts by the state to legislate women’s bodies.
As I read about the de-funding of Planned Parenthood, forced trans-vaginal examinations for women seeking certain services (including rape victims who wish to terminate a resulting pregnancy); employers being given the power to decide whether or not a woman should use birth control, Sandra Fluke being called a “slut” by Rush Limbaugh for daring to claim her sexuality, and Lisa Brown's speaking privileges revoked for using the word "vagina"; this image formed in my head of a man, standing on a heaped pile of naked women’s bodies, with a big ol' flag, saying "I claim this land in the name of..."
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I thought about the names that women are called that infantilize us, demean us, shame us; words that cast women as unequal, inhuman or inanimate; words that reduce women to their sex, sexuality, or sex organs; and how these words are reinforced not only by socialization, the media and pop culture, but by the institutionalized enforcement of gender stereotypes.
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I thought about how that legislation (current and under review), is being used to claim and commodify women’s bodies as “talking points” in politicians’ public debates; making our most private parts public, yet denying us the right to attempt re-claim them by dignifying them with their proper names.
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I chose a “pin-up girl” to represent this commodified woman, crucified on their political platforms; and I stitched on her body the names of the two women who have most recently been egregiously, publicly reduced in the defence of women’s bodies and their right to have autonomy over them; along with some of the words used to describe us, that are impressed upon us like markings, like tattoos…
…all words that are Written On The Body.
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Interesting post.. Food for thought. But also a pretty quilt on its own. Not a common combination and totally feminine!
ReplyDeleteAnother powerful piece Kit.
ReplyDeleteI don't know anything about the women or their stories but the theme will have resonance everywhere.
This is truly a great piece of art, and wonderful use of quilting. Thanks so much for sharing ang joining in TGIFF.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for stopping by Bronwyn - and thanks for your compliment. :)
DeleteFANTASTIC! It's brilliant, Kit. The symbolism is powerful and the design conveys that symbolism beautifully. Do you have plans to show it yet?
ReplyDeleteTrue degrading story quilted !
ReplyDeleteTruth hurts. You are definitely going to push buttons. Your wall hanging is perhaps more accurate than you may realize. Well done.
ReplyDeleteAnother amazing piece, Kit. After Lisa Brown was banned for using a perfectly acceptable proper (medical, even) term, I started to write down all the different terminologies used for our lady bits to create a piece. I haven't gotten there, yet, so I'm very taken by your work. I don't know how you do it all so quickly.
ReplyDeleteWow! An amazing piece of art! Well done!!
ReplyDeleteI must say i like the red heels.
ReplyDeleteWow Kit. You made your point and I and my significant other (a male feminist) are applauding you. An absolute "Knock-out".
ReplyDeleteI was interest in your quilt when I saw it. At first, I was a little taken back but then I research the problem with Sandra Fluke and Rush. I was personally stunned and outraged when I read about his statement. I came back to view your quilt and had a new appreciation for it. I really like and I say "You Go, Girl!"
ReplyDeletequite interesting....and cool!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marsha.
DeleteThank so much Kit for creating a fine piece of art while taking a meaningful stand against the continuing (and heartbreaking) war on women.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you shared this.
Thank you for stopping by, Deborah - and thanks for your comment!
DeleteCheers, Kit
This is an excellent piece! I hope it travels wide.
ReplyDeletePeople who need power will do anything to anybody.
Wow. Another impressive piece. Mary Ann
ReplyDeleteGreat piece! Powerful and well thought out!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant piece of work.
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed almost daily at the fact that so many women have no idea that these things are even happening all around us. I worry that by the time these issues are 'mainstream news' it will be too late.
I hope your work helps to open some eyes!
Cracking ideas again Kit!
ReplyDeleteIm reading Karin Slaughters latest book 'Criminal' and getting more and angry at how life was back in the 1970s in that part of the States. You would understand better than me historically how true this fictional account is, how close to truth.
Its a fictional tale centred around the appalling behaviour and racially intolerant beliefs of the police force in Atlanta at that time.
The hatred against black policemen by white, by black policemen against white and then the foul way women police officers were treated too...........called 'slits' for example instead of women or females.
Heavens I hope much has changed but I can see why you have a need to use your art politically. I do admire your stand and hope its message reaches across oceans as well as the minds at home.
De todo su arte ,creo que esto es lo que mas me ha conmovido ,esa mujer nos mira.Cariños.
ReplyDeleteGlad I have come to come back to read these comments!
ReplyDeleteLove this piece -- I really admire your skill at taking things that I wish everyone felt strongly about and making them into fabulous thought-provoking art!
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed the boldness of this piece and glad of it! Great art!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kit for bringing women's issues in this country to the quilt world. We too easily condemn other cultures for their oppression of women but it is alive and well in America. Continue the good fight
ReplyDeleteJean Ann
You're very welcome, Jean Ann. I thoroughly agree with your statement!
DeleteWell done!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog while perusing the Needle and Thread Network Feature Fridays and I am so glad that I did. 'Written on the Body' is a courageous and powerful commentary about the lives of women. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteKit, I love this piece! It's beautifully designed and made, and the message is spot-on. The stories of what happened to both women horrified me, and it makes me very happy to see someone take their offenders to task in an artistic way.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to share this post with a friend of mine. She's in women's studies, and I know she'll appreciate it.
-- Sarah
Love your political pieces, this and the Travon Martin art quilts are stupendous! They should be hung at the White House, the halls of Congress!
ReplyDeleteWay to go!!!
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