Sunday, August 24, 2014

Artist Statement - Abstract

I.               
                           “Have no fear of perfection – you’ll never reach It.” – Salvador Dali

            The quest for perfection is exhausting and unrelenting, although many strive to attain it. This project challenges the notion of “perfection” as it pertains to the idealized family. Garment-like sculptures, depicting family members, highlight emotional states in a variety of ideal and destructive behaviors in order for viewers to evaluate their personal relationship with family.
            I use sewing thread, because of its perceived qualities of strength and fragility, is used as a material to construct garment-like sculptures in various states of completion and deconstruction. The use of this material, simultaneously suggests strength and fragility in various situations from idealistic perfection to life-changing moments of crisis.  “Holding on by a thread” is suggested by open, worn areas on the garments, while the act of obsessively interlocking the threads through chaotic stitching, depicts the pressures of coveting perfection. Family members are showcased metaphorically individually and in groupings. Extremes of family emotional states are suggested through the perfect whole garment contrasted by a thread-barren puddle. These echoes of garments highlight the futility of the quest for perfection and the ideal family, because in truth this condition is unattainable.

The garment as metaphor

The quest and the emotional state of each member of the family are shown through a thread
like garment. By challenging the notion of perfection inside the family unit, I am asking the 
viewers to evaluate their own behavior. 
1) The amount of thread in each piece helps show the work involved in keeping them healthy. 
2) A complete whole garment suggests the moment of life when we feel whole. 
3) Each layer of thread shows the experience of being positive and that of negative moments 
    with in your life. 
4) Water soluble stabilizer “Solvy” that each garment is sewn on then washed away show that 
    we can wash away the past and start anew.
                                                    

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