Blue quilt

Amélie Frantelle

website@moadoph.gov.au — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 05:20:53 +0000

Amélie Frantelle website@moadop… Mon, 10/15/2018 - 16:20

Amélie Frantelle is a French embroidery artist who started to stitch around five years ago, when living in Paris. Since then, she has explored her craft while living overseas, lifted by the unique artistic atmosphere of Melbourne, or the wilderness of the Australian outback.

She takes most of her inspiration from other forms of arts (music, paintings, literature), as well as myths, ancient civilisations and graphical representations. The #UDHRquilt Project is the first collective craftivist project Amélie has been a part of.

Amélie Frantelle

English

France

French

I originally wanted to stitch an illustration Jean Cocteau drew in support of the European Union. But in August 2017, a pacifist gathering against racism in Charlottesville, Virginia, turned into a tragedy when a white-supremacist ran over and killed Heather D Heyer, an innocent woman standing up for love, equality and tolerance. I changed my design the same day.

I chose to talk about misconceptions some people have regarding identity, pride, tolerance and equality, and how hate of others is still crippling society, by representing four strong, beautiful, fierce and proud black women, staring at you.

As a French person, I tend to idealise human rights (Article 1 is almost the French national motto), and seeing how it’s violated truly breaks my heart. The #UDHRquilt Project has been a brilliant way to connect and raise awareness and I hope this block will instigate a reflection about sisterhood, community and living together in tolerance and kindness.

UDHR Article

Article 1

Quilt

Blue quilt

Jes Hallagan

website@moadoph.gov.au — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 05:21:32 +0000

Jes Hallagan website@moadop… Mon, 10/15/2018 - 16:21

Jes Hallagan is maker and mother from Queensland, Australia, who stitches custom family portraits for families all over the world. She has a passion for pop culture and was able to turn her love of crafts and TV into her job.

An active member of her community, Jes loves to help others around her. This is evident in recently launched activism craftivism project of her own, raising money for victims of domestic violence all around Australia by uniting makers to create, after being so inspired by this project.

Jes Hallagan

English, French, Arabic, Greek, Mandarin, Braille, Auslan

Australia

Australian, Irish

I hate injustice, and if I can share my thoughts with friends and family I know I can inspire them to do the same. Our medium is a fun way to communicate issues in a beautiful way … plus it lasts forever!

I’m a mother and have a background in childcare, and wanted to stitch my block inspired by that. It’s a colourful pick and mix, with a deeper meaning that underneath we are all the same, and it’s what society and religion makes us.

There are wedding rings, a cross symbolising my religion, a bunch of other choices I have made that have become part of me. Then there are things that aren’t choices: sexuality, assigned gender, birth nation. I’ve included hands to represent the many hands it takes to shape us into the adults we become. I put the word ‘respect’ in different languages including Braille, and added ‘love’ in sign language, because communication is key.

UDHR Article

Article 2

Quilt

Blue quilt

Briony Martin

website@moadoph.gov.au — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 05:22:15 +0000

Briony Martin website@moadop… Mon, 10/15/2018 - 16:22

Briony Martin is originally from South Wales but now lives in Leeds, England. She is a support worker for a small charity that provides work training and wellbeing skills for adults with learning disabilities. She was originally a self-employed textile artist, but her passion for working with adults with learning disabilities came after she took part in a campaign called #justiceforLB, seeking justice for the preventable death of Connor Sparrowhawk, known as ‘Laughing Boy’, who had autism and epilepsy. She contributed a textile piece to the campaign, which led to her interest in craftivism.

Although Briony no longer practises art full-time, she still tries to find time for small projects and has more recently been able to sell work to help raise funds for The Trussell Trust food banks and homeless charities, Simon on the Streets and Shelter. She is interested in social justice, disability and mental health issues and loves Sleaford Mods.

Briony Martin

English

England, United Kingdom

British

Article 3 highlights what is missing from the lives of people with learning disabilities, who are dying prematurely in the United Kingdom. I became aware of these deaths after taking part in the #justiceforLB campaign. Connor Sparrowhawk (Laughing Boy) was 18 when he drowned in a bath in a National Health Service treatment unit. The national Learning Disabilities Mortality Review confirmed that in the United Kingdom, people with learning disabilities die on average 15–20 years sooner than the general population.

These issues are personal to me, as my youngest daughter has autism. I also support adults with learning disabilities as a charity worker. Poor standards of care, social isolation and poor mental health are all too common. With cuts to disability benefits and services, the problems have gotten worse.

My block has a strong symbolic image accessible for all people to interpret. I hope it encourages people to read Connor’s story and challenges their perceptions about people with learning disabilities.

UDHR Article

Article 3

Quilt

Blue quilt

Lisa Wilkie

website@moadoph.gov.au — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 05:22:50 +0000

Lisa Wilkie website@moadop… Mon, 10/15/2018 - 16:22

Lisa Wilkie is interested in the intersections of art, power, and violence, and how dominant discourses can be subverted and disrupted. In addition to this, she is also interested in finding a good dry riesling, swimming in the sea, and adding to her vintage kimono collection.

She has an eclectic background that includes studies in German language and literature, art history and theory, and fine arts; two years ago she graduated with a Master of Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Otago. Her dissertation explored the use of visual/written/oral texts by three Māori prophets as a means of political dissent, resistance, and subversion of cultural hegemonies.

When not working as an art consultant/curator, Lisa is surrounded by many, many stitching and sewing projects that are in varying stages of (non)-completion. She has one gorgeous 18-year-old son and one gregarious Bengal cat, and would love to be a full-time thinker and maker of things.

Lisa Wilkie

English

New Zealand

New Zealander of Pākehā descent

As a Pākēha New Zealander, my place in this country was gained through invasion and deception. Many New Zealanders know next to nothing about the history of this land and of the broader impact of colonisation in the Pacific.

One of the stories that has been glossed over is the practice of ‘blackbirding’, a form of indentured servitude/slavery that was practised throughout the Pacific region in the 19th century. By acknowledging the existence of alternate Pacific histories, I hope in some tiny way to provide a departure point for others to seek out and listen to the voices that have been silenced.

UDHR Article

Article 4

Quilt

Blue quilt

Nicole O'Loughlin

website@moadoph.gov.au — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 05:23:25 +0000

Nicole O'Loughlin website@moadop… Mon, 10/15/2018 - 16:23

Nicole O’Loughlin is a self-taught embroidery artist based in Hobart, Tasmania. Originally trained in printmaking, since the birth of her son in 2016 she has turned her hand to embroidery in order to continue her art practice in a more manageable way. She failed needlework in high school home economics, but since then has discovered her own way of learning the medium.

She has travelled extensively all over the world and finds inspiration talking to people from different walks of life. She was born in Victoria, Australia, and was raised on dairy farms all over Australia. Nicole now enjoys exploring the Tasmanian wilderness with her partner and child.

Nicole’s passions (apart from her family) are art, travel and books. She believes in lifetime learning and collecting experiences rather than possessions.

Nicole’s embroidery work has been included in the Feminist Fiber Art exhibitions in the United States. Mostly she uses humour to transcribe a political idea in her embroideries.

Nicole O'Loughlin

English

Australia

Australian

On 9 May 1991 the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody was tabled in federal Parliament. But more than 25 years later, deaths in custody have not declined. There has also been a huge increase in the number of Indigenous women incarcerated. People are often incarcerated for minor offences, such as unpaid fines and drinking in the streets.

I depict the hands of an Indigenous woman stitched into a grey, prison blanket-like material. The image of the hands draws attention to the fact we are all human. The text in red highlights the urgent attention that needs to be brought to this issue. This matter should be important to all Australians. It is a breach of the UDHR.

This project was an education for me. I thought I was quite informed about deaths in custody, but I had no idea it was so bad. It is shameful that people are dying in our ‘lucky country’ for unpaid fines.

UDHR Article

Article 5

Quilt

Blue quilt

Selma Djukic

website@moadoph.gov.au — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 22:37:43 +0000

Selma Djukic website@moadop… Thu, 01/24/2019 - 09:37

Selma Djukic has been a grassroots activist for over 35 years, focusing on issues relating to women and children, human rights and civic engagement.

Selma Djukic

English

Canada

Canadia, with Bosnian heritage

I see this project as a perfect intersectionality of both of my passions: using an artistic craft lens to explore the meanings of universal human rights. Many of us are familiar with the images of torture and inhumane abuse perpetrated during modern conflicts in Iraq, so my approach to Article 5 was to use silk material from the region as canvas and embroider the horrific image of the hooded prisoner being split in two by doves of peace.

UDHR Article

Article 5

Quilt

Blue quilt

Niveditha U S

website@moadoph.gov.au — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 05:24:09 +0000

Niveditha U S website@moadop… Mon, 10/15/2018 - 16:24

Niveditha U S is a program manager with Teach For India, part of the Teach For All network. India is a very diverse country of many languages and cultures, and Niveditha hails from a mixed-language/cultures background. She is deeply committed to solving the struggle for educational equity so that all children can have an excellent education. She truly believes in the potential of the children to be a better generation and change the world to a more equal and humane one, slowly but steadily.

She is very new to embroidery and is very much an amateur. In her exploration of art for social justice and development, she has worked with Social Justice Sewing Academy, and hopes to take the learning and practices back to her classroom and her students.

Niveditha U S

English

India

Indian

I grew up in south India. In my country, children take their father’s name as their last name. However, my parents named me Niveditha U S: U representing my father’s name and S, my mother’s. I was often made fun of and asked if I am from the US, but it was all worth it as I believe, from the minute I was born, my parents instilled Equality and Reason in me and that all beings are equal as a matter of fact.

The story I wish to tell through my highly under-skilled embroidery stems from my experiences of discrimination. In my country, apart from the existing social divides, there is a system of caste. The ancient Hindu Varna system that segregated people based on their profession still exists, and equality is a far-off dream. The equal sign is an abstract concept that we all learn in elementary school, but are unable to apply in life.

UDHR Article

Article 6

Quilt

Blue quilt

Kelsey Lynn

website@moadoph.gov.au — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 05:24:33 +0000

Kelsey Lynn website@moadop… Mon, 10/15/2018 - 16:24

Kelsey Lynn is a multi-media artist originating from Fort Worth, Texas, and currently based in Brooklyn, New York. Kelsey received her Master of Photography, Video and Related Media at the School of Visual Arts in New York City in 2016. Kelsey’s work focuses on dismantling rape culture and rebelling against patriarchy and, paired with her activism, she combats toxic gender stereotypes and aims to build a community of support, understanding, and compassion. Her goal is to empower women, to give a voice to those who feel silenced, and to strive for gender equality.

Kelsey Lynn

English

United States of America

American

As an activist, I find it important to constantly keep fighting for equality and human rights for everyone. I am participating in the project to keep spreading awareness and fighting back against suffocating oppression.

In my personal work, I focus on gender equality, Queer rights and intersectional feminism. Article 7 perfectly represents what I am fighting to achieve.

UDHR Article

Article 7

Quilt

Blue quilt

Darci Lenker

website@moadoph.gov.au — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 05:24:59 +0000

Darci Lenker website@moadop… Mon, 10/15/2018 - 16:24

Being an artist, parent, and good human make up the biggest part of Darci Lenker. She splits her time between creating, trying to make a difference, and raising the next generation to do the same. Her biggest craftivism project was 365 Days of Food, where she embroidered and gave away 365 tiny foods in exchange for a donation to help hungry people.

Darci Lenker

English

United States of America

American

The Central Park Five were five Black and Latino teenagers who in 1990 were wrongfully convicted of assault, rape and attempted murder. Raymond Santana, Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Yusef Salaam and Korey Wise were interrogated for over 24 hours. Their coerced confessions were used to convict them. DNA evidence did not match. Appeals were unsuccessful. In 2002, someone already serving a life sentence confessed to the crime. The group sued New York City in 2003, but the City refused to settle until 2014.

The US criminal justice system failed them. The police were corrupt and racist; the media sensationalised and exploited them; the judges did not allow evidence.

At the time of the crime, Donald Trump took out ads in major New York City newspapers calling for the death penalty. He tainted public opinion so there is no way the teens could have an unbiased jury. He accused them even as he ran for President—years after they were found innocent.

UDHR Article

Article 8

Quilt

Blue quilt

Ashley Catharine Smith

website@moadoph.gov.au — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 05:25:28 +0000

Ashley Catharine Smith website@moadop… Mon, 10/15/2018 - 16:25

Ashley Catharine Smith is a New York-based artist working in photography, video and fibres. Through the combination of these mediums she creates melodramatic depictions of relationships, sex and gender. Her work is driven by her desire to understand how rules about feelings and gender roles affect our interpersonal relationships and sense of self. Ashley explores the complexity of relationships by depicting intimate moments with an additional element of fibres seemingly growing from the surface of the photograph.

Smith has a Master of Fine Art in Photography, Video and Related Media from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Her work has been exhibited internationally and throughout the United States at the Delaware Art Museum; Society for Contemporary Craft and the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, Pittsburgh; Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, Center for Sex and Culture, San Francisco; Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum, Slovakia; and the Knockdown Center, New York; among others. She is currently an adjunct photography professor at Drexel University and an instructor at the International Center of Photography.

Ashley Catharine Smith

English

United States of America

American

Article 9 was important to me because of issues plaguing my country. While I was stitching, lawyers and protesters were on their way to John F Kennedy International Airport to fight President Trump’s ‘Muslim ban’. The ban unjustly prevented people from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States. Then, the Trump administration announced that immigrant children at the southern border were to be detained at facilities separate from their parents. The United States also has a history of systematic racism that targets people of colour through mass incarceration.

I stitched on a napkin that belonged to my mother. I used it so she could be part of the project, and because it resembles the colour of my skin. I stitched a gradient of different flesh tones with a technique that mimics the look of hair. By using different flesh tones, I hope to convey a sense of unity among all people. Equality is a human right.

UDHR Article

Article 9

Quilt

Blue quilt