Date of Award

2013

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Humanities

First Advisor

Anderson, Kim

Keywords

Feminism, Embroidery, Art, Quilt, Craft, Social Practice

Area of Concentration

Art

Abstract

The exclusive division of public and private realms carries gendered social, political and historical implications. The persisting distinction of "high," masculine, fine art, from "low," feminine, applied craft has normalized patriarchal traditions in the American canon. Feminist interventionism challenges the stereotypical perspective of artist as male, genius and individual and art as non-utilitarian and antisocial. In my exhibition thread, textiles and tactual engagement challenge residual dogmatic conventions. The incorporation of craft traditions invokes historically gendered hierarchies, upsetting boundaries between "high" arts, characterized by concept and aesthetics, and "low" arts, characterized by labor and utility. Using embroidery, quilting and other sewn handwork, I am contextualizing the history and tradition of women's work with a conceptual consideration of contemporary gendered issues and prejudice. Feminist social practice further challenges the binary of art and craft; focusing on action above object. Participant involvement is critical to my intent to call into question the contemporary institutionalization and prohibitive access to art.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida Libraries, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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