Just to prove that I’m not an angry curmudgeonly type all the time, I thought that I’d draw your attention to Slate’s adorable article on political crafts. I think that the above cross-stitch is probably my favourite, but I’d love to make a Homeland Security quilt as well (but where would I put it?).
But no mention of the knitted uterus? Or the precursors to today’s hipster radical crafts, like the AIDS Memorial Quilt or Chilean arpilleras? Kids these days have no historical context.
A homeland security blanket? You should carry that everywhere with you, and chew the end whenever someone’s looking. I dare you.
I have a homeland security blanket that I made (which can be seen at http://picasaweb.google.com/anna.faherty/Artwork), but I don’t really like carrying it around because after all that work, if anything happened to it I wouldn’t get out of bed for DAYS. (I’m also proud to say I came up with the moniker “Homeland Security Blanket” before Slate did, not that I’m saying they stole it from me or something. I’m just feeling clever.)
I totally agree that they could have done a better job with some sort of historical context, like the arpilleras. I’ve always loved the saying that abolitionist women put on their needlecases – “May the work of our needles prick the conscience of the slave-holder.” Amen, sister. If I had a needlecase (oh, that I could be so organized) it would probably say “May the work of my needles make the right-wing look completely frickin’ ridiculous.”
Really, kids today! Why, we stitched obscenities on our bras before WE burned ‘em!
I’m kidding, but I liked the photos. Good to see the subversive spirit gaining ground.
And, Anna, I love your work – have we met? I’m an instant fan, you have some really nice pieces on your site. For some reason, I always shied away from the political stuff — I did lots of it, but just didn’t include it on Subversive. I guess I didn’t want to piss anyone off, as a company just starting out. Maybe it’s time to add a new chapter? I have “catapult the propaganda” in cross stitch, a favorite Bush quote. And of course Cheney did free PR for me on “Go F Yourself”. Heh.
One other thing of note: Margaret Cusack pillows that were in Vanity Fair a while back: link to photos here. The link to Margaret’s site is a bit fudged, but he pillows aren’t included there, anyway. Though IMHO it’s her best work – and that’s saying a lot, because she’s been around forever. She even stitched something that was turned into a US stamp. Respeck!