 |
 Batik: Sewn Paintings
My Batik series is created by a multi-step procedure of hand printing flora or similar objects onto paper, making rubbings of textured surfaces, layering and scraping beeswax, applying washes of colors, overlaying patterns and forms to define the space, and finally sewing by hand or machine. Through this time-consuming process, history and complexity are built up, and chance is allowed to play a role.
The small scale of the paintings, the focus on labor-intensive details, and the employment of traditional feminine practices such as batik and embroidery encourage the paintings to be regarded as intimate objects, and the use of thread and wax contribute to their sense of tactility.
Contemporary feminist artists and practitioners of traditional domestic arts inspire me equally as I work to convert common materials, such as weeds and wax, into handmade artifacts. My work encourages a reconsideration of what constitutes beauty and where it can be found.
|
