Domestic Sarcasm

Domestic Sarcasm Artist Statement

I create fiber art as an act of rebellion. Fiber art has been traditionally disregarded within the art world due to its association with “women’s work.” However, I embrace this art form and use it to critique misogyny and to illuminate the effort that goes into gender performativity. I make dresses, aprons, and canvases with serigraphy, dyeing, and sewing. To challenge the history of feminine expectations, I make silkscreen prints that often appropriate historic imagery that reinforces sexist tropes. I transform my hand-printed fabric into midcentury style dresses or 2D canvases to address the lack of representation of women during the era of Modern Art. 

Throughout the 20th century, many Modernists thought they were so clever because they discovered that the canvas was flat, and they wanted to reveal it to their viewers. I am clever too, and I “discovered” that the canvas is not only flat, but it is also fabric. I sew my fiber art compositions to canvas and attach them to stretcher bars to put them in the context of fine art. These canvases are not decoration. Additionally, I specifically created some dresses and aprons to wear in daily life. The stains and damage on the attire provide evidence that I am an active person. These dresses and aprons serve as a record of the time I devote to my work.

Push play to listen to the audio of the Domestic Sarcasm artist statement.