Intertwined

28 November, 2018
Intertwined

"All that separates, whether of race, class, creed, or sex, is inhuman, and must be overcome." Kate Sheppard

On 19 September 1893, after submitting a petition with nearly 32,000 signatures, New Zealand became the first self-governing country to grant women the vote.

125 years later, Percy Thomson Gallery director, Rhonda Bunyan, has curated the exhibition "I AM WOMAN" to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Woman’s Suffrage in New Zealand.

More than 80 Taranaki female artists and some outside female guests were invited to share their personal ‘take’ on womanhood; belief, cultural, feminism, triumphs, challenges, concerns, spirituality, the mundane, expectations, etc."

I took on the challenge to create a piece about what it means to me to be a woman - despite the fact that I usually don't define myself as woman and in my opinion separation is not the way to go.

Intertwined

I am Woman, I am Spin Artist, I am not separate!

When I spin a yarn, I am connected with every single spinner in the world - past, present and future. Most of them are women who have been doing work of utmost importance for humanity while spinning every single thread by hand, not only for useful and beautiful garments but for sails, tools, arts and so much more.

As females we are inclusive by nature and as spinners we are in a close relationship with our fibre plants and animals. Intertwined we continue creating the thread for the fabric of life, often quietly, sometimes unnoticed or even invisible - yet never without power.

Eight drawings are hiding in this piece, capturing seven women and one man, spinners from different times and all over the world - including myself. They are spun into paper yarn together with eight plant and animal fibres commonly used in different parts of the world (Cotton, Wool, Linen, Silk, Muka, Alpaca, Mohair, Angora). The yarn is stored on spindle sticks. These simple tools have been used for spinning fibres since the early history of humankind and are still valued companions in many cultures all over the planet.

With this piece I am honouring all beings who have made it possible for me to have a voice as a woman and a Spin Artist. I‘d like to highlight those who have not been in the spotlight, yet contributing their part for a fair world, peacefully and intertwined.

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Handspun paper drawings (drawn with walnut ink); cotton, wool, linen, silk, muka, alpaca, mohair, angora - handspun on wire: spindle sticks; mounted on board

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More about this piece can be found on my blog: https://www.islafabu.com/blog/intertwined

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