2022 - Redress the Past Projects

Redress: To remedy or set right.

What I wish to express through these projects is a reconciliation of past actions, past beliefs, past prejudices, through clothing attire.

My first work

  Sun Bonnet: Wide brim frames the face from the sun and a ruffle at the back protects the neck.

This script was embroidered on the lining fabric.

Redress The Past

The Indigenous Māori and the Pakeha settler embrace each other’s resources and craft, mutually benefitting one another with a sun bonnet created from harakeke and cotton gingham.

Harakeke represents the Whanau. In Māori tikanga the rito (the shoot) is the child. It is protectively surrounded by the awhi rito (parents). The outside leaves represent the tupuna (grandparents and ancestors).

Cotton gingham is reminiscent of domestic gatherings, especially summer picnics, where food is shared together.

(Macrons were embroidered above the appropriate letters.)

Redress  the Past second work

This work focuses on an item of 19th century underwear known as drawers.  Drawers were split in the crotch, making it easier for Victorian women to squat and go about their toileting, when wearing the long voluminous skirts of the era.

I have sewn an invisible zip into my drawers, symbolising a woman's right to say "No, I do not consent!"

Redress the Past third work

This piece came out of my 'Witches' blog, which included information about the Salem Witch Trials and the Peter Ellis/Christchurch Civic Creche sexual abuse trial and wrongful conviction. Both situations got me thinking about witch hunts and the gross injustice they cause upon individuals.

The witch's hat became a symbol and a message, which I sewed on to the black beanie.

An interesting article about the historical background concerning "pointy hats".    daily.jstor.org/the-complicated-history-of-pointy-hats/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Lit%20Hub%20Daily:%20July%2014%2C%202023&utm_term=lithub_master_list 

Redress the Past fourth work (2023)

In memory of my Granny Stewart, who was known to often make the statement "Blessed are the peacemakers".

As with much of my work, it's the fabric that first guides me, and in this case, chiffon, which I saw as an army green colour. (The photo colour is not a true image)

So, an anti-war clothing concept took hold, starting with my take on the Book of Isaiah 2:3-4

Redress the Past

They shall beat their

swords into fabric shears,

and their spears into

crochet hooks; nation

shall not lift up sword

against nation, neither shall they learn war

anymore. Instead, they

shall sew in peace.

It is an expression of the idea in which military weapons or technologies are converted for peaceful civilian applications, in my case, creation through sewing. 

My fabric shears and crochet hooks images symbolise creative tools that can benefit humankind in comparison to what destructive tools of war can do.

My work is about the incongruity of the lightweight fabrics, chiffon and lace, cut and sewn to reflect an army uniform with crocheted peggy square cargo pockets. The chiffon, lace and woollen crochet squares are totally averse to the usual fabrics used for the wear and tears of warfare. Pink thread used for the embroidered message links to the femininity within life, that is being gentle, soft, tender and nurturing, again the total opposite of war.

While I was working on this project I heard a news item discussing the amoral use of cluster bombs during warfare. This got me thinking about this fab Cast Off knitting pattern, which I purchased years ago, a knitted hand grenade. The Cast Off message is,"Drop stitches not bombs", which also resonates with my message. The knitted hand grenade will become a part of my project. 

I exhibited it in the school visual arts show. This is the explanation for the viewers