Mind Map: Compartments is now showing in Quilt National 25. This is one of a series of three I made using a lovely piece of vintage handwoven linen that I sourced on eBay. The linen was only about 24” wide and I divided the cloth into three roughly same size lengths, backing each with another, slightly wider piece of linen. The visual elements are added on top, in a collage technique, using thousands of hand stitches. The artist statement is simple:
“A mind map can be described as thinking made visible. By pulling a threaded needle through cloth, each stitch helps me organize my own thoughts, see connections and try to make sense of the world.”
I have leaned on the slow and meditative process of hand stitching to work through some of the overwhelming preoccupation of a very troubled time. Each of us needs to ask, “what is a good life?”, and I believe it is one that is filled with arts and culture, education and discovery, compassion and tolerance, truth and fairness. On this Memorial Day, I am mindful that so many have been called to the service of our democracy. We will best honor them by steadfastly protecting these hard won freedoms.
Here are some books I have read lately: North is the Night, by Emily Rath; The Book of Speculation, by Erica Swyler; The Night of the Scourge, by Lars Mytting; Dream State, by Eric Puchner; The Jackal’s Mistress, by Chris Bohjalian (all as print books) and on audio, The Berry Pickers, by Amanda Peters and Pony Confidential, by Christina Lynch.
Mind Map: Compartments, 58 x 29”, linen, cotton, button
Mind Map: Compartments, (detail)