Inspiration and Mood board, Post Secrete Textile Collection

To create this collection I solicited stories and objects from a variety of contributors. Each fabric is an expression of the story, memory or feelings in the donated object. I requested objects that could be incorporated into the fabric and each contributor understood that they were sending away a piece of their story. 

 

Great Grandmother's Hair

human hair, rayon, silk

 

My mother's contribution was a brain do fmy great grandmother's hair. As a young woman my great grandmother used that same hair as a hair accessory as was common practice in the day. 

Great Grandmother's Hair, closeup

human hair, rayon, silk
My mother's contribution was a brain do fmy great grandmother's hair. As a young woman my great grandmother used that same hair as a hair accessory as was common practice in the day. 

Angry Words

rayon, silk

 

The form of this fabric came from lines of poetry about the contributor's experiences as a black woman in white America. The emotions were strong and angry but delicate and pointed. I tried to tie these ideas together to create a visual representation her words. 

Fly Away Home

cotton, linen, cardstock

 

In the well-to-do suburbs of Philadelphia some high schools still practice the formal arts of communication. As part of the graduations and commencement experience students recieve engraved name cards to send out with their photographs and announcements. 

 

The woman who gave these cards to me spoke wistfully and also with frustration about her experiences as a student there. I took away the feeling of being tied down and a deep drive to break free. To find the world beyond their walls. 

Fly Away Home, cloesup
cotton, linen, cardstock

In the well-to-do suburbs of Philadelphia some high schools still practice the formal arts of communication. As part of the graduations and commencement experience students recieve engraved name cards to send out with their photographs and announcements. 

The woman who gave these cards to me spoke wistfully and also with frustration about her experiences as a student there. I took away the feeling of being tied down and a deep drive to break free. To find the world beyond their walls. 

The Old Pair of Blue Jeans

linen, cotton, denim

 

Blue jeans and concert tickets hold this contributors strongest memories. Happy memories and sad wound together to create a repeat of textures and experience. 

Secret Stars

rayon, cotton, origrami stars

 

I recieved these stars delicately packed into a jewelry box along with several tightly folded sheets of paper. The paper told a story of how my friend once knew girl who sparkled. Full of light and joy and good times. They bonded of things big and small. One day, my friend was invited to dinner with the girl's family. The family's discussions around the table evolved into racist and bigotted slurs and anecdotes that shocked my friend. The girl shrugged it off. Joined in. Made no protest. 

 

I received the stars because my friend said she could no longer see the girl's sparkle and had no desire to hold on to these delicate pieces of the friend she thought she knew. I tucked them inside pockets as I created this fabric to both show and conceal the fun shapes and colors. To shroud their playfulness in somber color.

Secret Stars, close up
rayon, cotton, origrami stars

I recieved these stars delicately packed into a jewelry box along with several tightly folded sheets of paper. The paper told a story of how my friend once knew girl who sparkled. Full of light and joy and good times. They bonded of things big and small. One day, my friend was invited to dinner with the girl's family. The family's discussions around the table evolved into racist and bigotted slurs and anecdotes that shocked my friend. The girl shrugged it off. Joined in. Made no protest. 

I received the stars because my friend said she could no longer see the girl's sparkle and had no desire to hold on to these delicate pieces of the friend she thought she knew. I tucked them inside pockets as I created this fabric to both show and conceal the fun shapes and colors. To shroud their playfulness in somber color.