Text-iles
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Text-iles, 2007 / Series of unique book objects / Printing & writing on Dobbin Mill papers, wood & metal bobbins
Size: 7” in height
Proverbial Threads
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Proverbial Threads, 2006-9 / Series of 100+ unique book objects / Printing on Dobbin Mill papers, wood & metal bobbins
Size: from 3.5” to 12” in height
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text-iles consists of a series of 11 industrial textile bobbins, each with
a hanging translucent paper scarf, printed with a proverb about
women’s work. The texts were manipulated to create textile-weaving
patterns on the paper.
I had found, over the course of reading and research, countless examples of proverbs from around the world that encapsulated those cultures’ perspectives on the role of women and their labors.
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The examples here of Proverbial Threads are part of a larger open series of book objects that utilizes text, with proverbs from cultures around the world that describe women’s work.
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These proverbs are misogynistic, regardless of their culture of origin. The industrial bobbins are wrapped with strips of paper, which are sometimes cut & spun to appear to be a thread. Threads are emblematic of rote repetition, a concept that applies to the passing down of outmoded proverbs as well as notions of “women’s work.” I chose to use vintage bobbins as in the 19th
century, young women were often the garment workers in this US industry.
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More information:
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A sampling of proverbs:
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​- The woman is never in charge. (Ibo, Nigeria)
- The wife’s death, a replacement in bed. (Chechen)
- Women are necessary evils. (English, UK)
- A wife is the best piece of furniture (Dutch)
​- Housewife at home, pancake in honey. (Russian)
- A woman who is beaten is going to be a better wife. (Korean)
- A young wife should be no more than an echo or a shadow in her husband’s house. (Japanese)
- To educate a woman is like putting a knife in the hand of a monkey. (Hindi, India)
- Be good to your own wife and you can have your neighbor’s. (Arabic, widespread)
- A good wife is the workmanship of a good husband. (English, USA)
​- A bone for my dog; a stick for my wife. (Hungarian)
- Women are like shoes, they can always be replaced. (Rajasthani, India)
- A woman with big breasts, you should marry, bury or put into a nunnery. (Spanish)
