Archaeological Remnants
My current body of work combines traditional and modern quilting techniques, found objects, rust dyed fabrics, and discarded clothing that come together to represent what we as a society have left behind, forgotten, but will again discover through excavation. The pieces reflect an interest in three types of materials: found objects that have been discarded, photographs (altered and raw), and various types of rust dyed materials.
My interest in this urban archaeology began after our house was built. As I would walk around the property I discovered bits and pieces of the former life of the land (farm land) and the remnants of the build. It was as if the earth was revealing these artifacts so they may be discovered and reused. Rusted barbed wire embedded deep within the bark of trees, bits of metal from discarded farm equipment, fragments of ceramics, and an assortment of interesting construction debris.
The quilted wall hangings contrast the hardness of the discarded objects and the perceived softness of the quilted fabrics. These found objects are discovered throughout my journeys. Photographic evidence is taken of most of the objects, and it also represents the objects that cannot or should not be salvaged. The photographs also examine, and through alteration of the image, deconstruct the relationship between the society and the objects that occupy and adorn. The rust dyed materials will eventually deteriorate, which parallels the consumption, destruction, and decomposition of the archaeological artifacts that they are created to represent.
My interest in this urban archaeology began after our house was built. As I would walk around the property I discovered bits and pieces of the former life of the land (farm land) and the remnants of the build. It was as if the earth was revealing these artifacts so they may be discovered and reused. Rusted barbed wire embedded deep within the bark of trees, bits of metal from discarded farm equipment, fragments of ceramics, and an assortment of interesting construction debris.
The quilted wall hangings contrast the hardness of the discarded objects and the perceived softness of the quilted fabrics. These found objects are discovered throughout my journeys. Photographic evidence is taken of most of the objects, and it also represents the objects that cannot or should not be salvaged. The photographs also examine, and through alteration of the image, deconstruct the relationship between the society and the objects that occupy and adorn. The rust dyed materials will eventually deteriorate, which parallels the consumption, destruction, and decomposition of the archaeological artifacts that they are created to represent.
