Laura O’Connor

EMBROIDERY AS DISSENT

Needle and thread are always in my hands.

When using them I join a long and strong tradition of women who have turned needlecraft into a vehicle for political expression and commentary on society.

I work primarily in the needlecrafts of embroidery and cross-stitch. I like the balance that they can provide. These particular needlecrafts have a long history but they also have the ability to be flexible and to change to fit modern times.

Each piece takes time and a good amount of thought to create into a tangible product compared to the relative quickness it takes to write a comment on social media. 

When reflecting upon my recent works, they appeared at first to have little connection. I realized though that the connection running through all of them was that this collection of work represents a visual journal of my last 18 months. Embroidery was how I worked through my frustration and grief related to politics and the pandemic. It was also how I learned more about craftivism and feminism. And, it was as well how I documented the funny, little things.

My work uses a symbol of domesticity and femininity to challenge those same notions. 

All of the art in Laura’s Blue Moon Collection work is available for purchase.

Send inquiries to kendra@thebluemoongallery.com or text 224-388-7948