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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)    

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