mnartists.org

or go to the advanced search page

Chris Walla

<< 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... 24 >>

"Hanky Project"

"Hanky Project" Bandannas and Embroidery

Bandanna, Embroidery Floss
22" x 22" each

"Hanky Project - red"
"Hanky Project - red"

22" x 22"
Bandanna, Embroidery Floss

"Hanky Project" | Media List


Statement

"The Hanky Project" started out as a rather hopeful piece, initially started as a response to the gay marriages happening around the country. I had not imagined that I would see that event in my lifetime. But the resulting backlash and adoption of constitutional amendments banning gay marriage cast this piece in a more cynical light. Reintroducing the bandanna code was a way to benchmark the progress in the gay semiotics and culture. Bandanas have been used as basic signifiers of desire and fetish; I am interested in foregrounding this while issues of family and commitment are so much in the public consciousness today. It was my way of also recognizing the people whose activism and efforts at the beginning and throughout the AIDS crisis made this dialogue possible. I wanted the “making” of these pieces to refer to the hand-made needlepoint and embroidery practiced by women of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries for their hope chests. The metaphor of thread related to linear time was also an important aspect in determining material considerations. This project is on going and will be completed when all of the bandannas are represented.