Within minutes of reading the Threads of Resistance call for entry — a juried exhibition of work created to protest the Trump administration’s actions and policies — a lightening bolt of inspiration hit me. I knew the subject I had to address and what I wanted to create. As always, the technical issues were resolved in the process of construction.
Though not a color I enjoy working with, the choice was clear — pink. I pulled fabrics from my stack and then went shopping. Click on images to reveal a larger view.
I was happy to sign Cecile Richards’ on-line letter thanking the staffs of Planned Parenthood centers across the United States for their stalwart support of their communities. I printed the letter on twelve different fabrics. Next I started experimenting with the layout of the letters on the background fabric.
It took several layouts
to find the one that worked the best.
Here’s the final layout.
Next came the message. I used one of my alphabet stencils, drew out the message and enlarged it to the appropriate size. After reversing the image, I printed it on WonderUnder.
Marking and thread selection were up next. That’s 110-wt. silk from Superior Threads. I love the way it quilts, almost melting into the fabrics.
And here it is quilted and blocked. I still get a kick out of how both the water soluble marker (blue lines) and the heat sensitive marker (white lines) disappear during the blocking process. It’s my kind of ‘magic’!
Now to get the placement of the wire hanger right. After pinning a hanger to several spots I settled on this arrangement.
Here’s the completed piece.
And a detail image:
My artist statement for this entry reads: In a 7-2 decision on January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court stuck down an 1857 Texas statute that made abortion illegal except where the life of the mother was in danger. In its ruling, the court recognized for the first time that the constitutional right to privacy “is broad enough to encompass a woman’s decision whether or not to terminate her pregnancy.” Immediately after Roe was decided, opponents of safe and legal abortion urged state and federal lawmakers to pass laws stripping away at or banning abortion. We must not step back 160 years by allowing this right to be taken away.
Threads of Resistance will premiere at the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, MA, on July 11th and will travel throughout the United States. See the current confirmed venues here. The organizers continue to seek more venues and will be updating their website as they are added. I have every confidence that this will be a very powerful exhibit, encouraging conversation on many topics.
Another great composition Franki! It’s wonderful when a “bolt of inspiration” hits!
Thank you Jenny. Yes, I could use another bolt just now. My next piece will take a bit longer but that’s okay. I’m ready for a more meditative way of working.
Franki, congratulations! This is a brilliant and very powerful piece. I hope it makes it way to San Diego!
Susan
Thank you Susan. I hope it joins the exhibit as well. I’ll be letting you know.
Speechless. Thank you for this piece
.
You are so welcome. This was one of those rare times where inspiration met creation and I got the powerful statement I wanted. Will keep you posted on whether it makes it into the exhibit.
Well done!
Thank you Sherri!
Wow! Would be proud to host you here if you’d like to visit the Santa Clara exhibit with me in October, Franki!
Thank you for that kind invitation Marybeth. I’ll be posting here about whether or not my piece is selected for the exhibit. I know that there will be hundreds of entries from around the world for this exhibit. Stay tuned.
Incredible, Franki!!!
Thank you Maryann!
If ever there were a time when powerful statements were needed this is it. Your piece is excellent. I was thrilled to hear about the Threads of Resistance project and the great artist who are supporting it including those like you who enter pieces. Let’s hope.
Thank you Ann. I’m very happy with the power of this piece. I know that the exhibit will have a wallop and people will be talking about many important issues. Then I hope they act to make their voices heard with their Congressional representatives.
Powerful, Franki! Sends a very strong message! Great work!!
Thank you Gay. Let the work continue to our success.
Love it!!! At least we had a victory today. Long live Obamacare!
And long live the resistance to this administration.
It’s thrilling to see resistance in so many forms. Great work, Franki!
Thank you Nancy+
Powerful.
Thank you Kris. Exactly what I was going for.
Beautifully done.
Thanks Dale.