“Political Power Grab” by Sara Mika

“Political Power Grab” by Sara Mika

This is one in a series of posts featuring an artist whose work is included in the Threads of Resistance exhibition.

Artist’s Statement: I once saw a political cartoon with a preppy white man perched on top of a uterus. He was sarcastically saying, “Government should be small and unobtrusive so women don’t feel it in their uteruses.” Well, since it actually feels anything but, I’ve depicted three greedy political man hands fighting tug-of-war style over a uterus. In the background, I’ve illustrated what I’m coining #rankandfilepussies. Men expect us to fall in line and personify their vision for OUR bodies? Well, we proud pussies have news for them! We truly ARE sewn together with threads of resistance. Rank and file us and they’ll soon find out that we not only have power in numbers, but that we bitches bite.

Hear a message from Sara about her piece below:

“Roe v Wade Must Stand” by Cyndy Rymer

“Roe v Wade Must Stand” by Cyndy Rymer

This is one in a series of posts featuring an artist whose work is included in the Threads of Resistance exhibition. 

Artist’s Statement:

My anger about Roe v. Wade possibly being overturned inspired this quilt. Women should have complete freedom over what they with their bodies. Abortions will continue to happen, and the main point is to make them safe. Making this quilt was a way to express my disgust with the current administration.

Hear a message from Cyndy about her piece below:

“Patriotism” by Amy Sullivan

“Patriotism” by Amy Sullivan

This is one in a series of posts featuring an artist whose work is included in the Threads of Resistance exhibition.

Artist’s Statement:

Patriotism has always been very important to me; I love my country and I am heartbroken it is so divided. Seeing the gap between Republicans and Democrats widen, I wanted to remind my friends and neighbors that we are all Americans. I wanted to state my love of the country and the need for me to resist.

Hear a message from Amy about her piece below:

“Women’s March 2017: By the Numbers” by Kathy York

“Women’s March 2017: By the Numbers” by Kathy York

 

This is one in a series of posts featuring an artist whose work is included in the Threads of Resistance exhibition.

 

Artist’s Statement:

This quilt was made to honor the 3 million women who marched globally the day after President Trump was inaugurated. I wanted to give the viewer a feeling for just how big 3 million is. Each little square is ½ inch and represents 325 people. That is equivalent to a large jet airplane filled with people. So imagine a full airplane for each one of these tiny squares! It is A LOT of people, all marching to protect the rights of women!

Hear a message from Kathy about her piece below:

“Hands Off!” by Karen Musgrave

“Hands Off!” by Karen Musgrave

This is one in a series of posts featuring an artist whose work is included in the Threads of Resistance exhibition.

Artist’s Statement: 
The message I received growing up was that I was less because I was female and that the misogynist acts against me were my fault. Naively I thought the world had changed, because mine did. Unfortunately, this is clearly not true. I am frustrated at how women are continually silenced and how this response, in turn, manages to protect toxic unacceptable behavior. I am saddened to see how much work women still have to do to be considered equal. Michelle Obama said it so well: “Strong men, men who are truly role models, don’t need to put women down to make themselves feel powerful.” Isn’t it time for misogyny in all its forms to end?

Hear a message from Karen about her piece below:

“Game Over” by Tanya Brown

“Game Over” by Tanya Brown

This is one in a series of posts featuring an artist whose work is included in the Threads of Resistance exhibition.

 

Artist’s Statement:

Many Americans, including the current president of the United States, don’t believe in the reality of global climate change. Many polar bears disagree with that conclusion.

Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that he believes global climate change is a myth invented by the Chinese. His administration is currently working hard to dismantle much of the work on climate change enacted by previous administrations. This includes a chilling suppression of information on the topic, reminiscent of the falsification of photos and information during Stalin-era Russia. However, denying reality will not make it go away. It will only make the consequences far more serious.

“Game Over” was inspired by a classic children’s game in which players take turns tapping plastic “ice blocks” out of a frame. The game ends when one of the players “breaks the ice,” sending a polar bear game piece plummeting off its ice floe. The game, with its playing pieces made from the same petroleum we burn as fuel, encapsulates the changes humans are making to the environment.

Hear a message from Tanya about her piece below:

“Still Yearning” by Lyric Montgomery Kinard

“Still Yearning” by Lyric Montgomery Kinard

This is one in a series of posts featuring an artist whose work is included in the Threads of Resistance exhibition.

Artist’s Statement:

From its very inception, the privilege of citizenship in the Unites States of America has been denied to group after group, based on race and religion. African Americans were not granted citizenship until 1868, four years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Native Americans were not granted citizenship until 1924. Chinese immigrants were not allowed citizenship until 1943. We have turned away people after people who have sought refuge and opportunity. Now our leaders have chosen to vilify Muslims fleeing massacre and Mexicans seeking a better life for their children.

We as citizens can choose to better live the highest of our American values; “that all men are created equal.” Through our individual actions and compassion we can stitch our country into a tapestry of great strength and beauty. Through our votes and civil dialogue and understanding of the data gathered by scientists, we can mend the tears in the fabric of our society.

Flag photograph by Stuart Seager used by permission; Immigrant photos by Augustus Sherman Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library: public domain.

Hear a message from Lyric about her piece below: