Women, I Know
Work by Angela Caldwell
“Quilts represent comfort, female strength, family, community, history, pattern, craft, and love. The act of putting needle to cloth makes the fabric stronger with each subsequent stitch. I use this seemingly simple act as a metaphor and a source for inspiration. I imagine the women who made my family’s heirlooms. What were their thoughts, their dreams, and conversations? I contemplate this as I repeat the process.”
This body of work represents the strength and support women offer each other through their making. Utilizing familiar tools associated with traditional female crafts like reclaimed aprons and knitting needles, Angela Caldwell creates wearable and armor-like representations that embody the spirit of women and offer a perspective on the strength they provide. The repetitive use of the archetypal hexagon draws on the imagery and symbolism of a queen bee in her hive. The use of contemporary practices and materials, like powder coating and metallic thread, positions Caldwell’s modern voice within this rich history. By deconstructing and reinterpreting the quilt, she commemorates the women of her past, carrying their emotions and support with her as she faces each day. Blending her experiences with those imagined, she reveals the previous makers' central roles in shaping her female identity.
Throughout history, women have used needle crafts to defend and demand action. This work gives reference to this tradition with the hope that the sense of the familiar will provide reflection, support, and comfort in the face of adversity.
Exhibition Dates: May 26th - July 7th, 2023
An opening reception was held on Friday, May 26th, 2023, 5-8pm.
