I turn to quilting for respite from all the terrible happenings that surround us, so this topic, A Headline from a Newspaper, was a stressful one for me.
I wanted to create a portrait as a reminder that all of the tragedies happen to real people; people who have to live through the events that are so terrible they cause panic and depression even to others who are thousands of miles away and safe. The headlines take over our heads; we cannot get away from them.
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| "Relentless Static" |
The batik fabrics in the background, with their contrast and motion, suggest the constant surge of noise and hazard we are subjected to. Even if we turn it off, we know it is there.
Her face is fragmented and she "can't keep it together"; pieces are blowing through the atmosphere around her. Her once starry eyes have turned into that deer-in-the-headlights look as she tries to cope with every new barrage.
The halo of orange around her head, and the spiky orange stitching, show how these headlines keep us at a level of high alarm.
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As I worked on this, I thought about how many hours my fellow teachers and I spent trying to instill a sense of teamwork and unity in our students, who came from all over the world, and how satisfying it felt to see a good group discussion, or a proud presentation. And then in contrast, I thought about how now my friends' conversation turns so often to fears of others taking away what they think they are entitled to, and I wondered how much of that comes from headline overload.
Also as I worked on it, when I was auditioning fabrics, and chose those with nature motifs, I immediately felt a little better. I would like to make a companion piece, with the headlines I wish I saw every day, like, "TxDOT Plants Native Flowers Along Highways," or "Congress Works Together as Well as Fifth Graders Do," or "Art Classes Added to Curriculum."
Your quilt is very evocative. There are often times I feel that way. Very nice job with the theme.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barbara! I will be happy to turn my mind to a happier theme next time. :)
DeleteThere is so much to see in your quilt Gwen, it really is a fitting representation of these difficult times. The nice headlines you are hoping for are often there but easily buried under the deluge of more sensational, less inspirational news!
ReplyDeleteWell, I live in Texas and lately we seem to be sparking an extra-large share of the bad news. But I keep plugging away and doing what I can to make some things better for some people, and I hope the tide will turn soon.
DeleteThis is so well thought out, and I think mirrors the thoughts of many of us. A companion piece is a good idea, almost like another step in the processing of all that is happening in our world.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Wendy! I hope to be able to express better news one day.
DeleteThis is such a thoughtful piece - it really captures the jangly sense of panic involved in bad news overload. I think that you're right about conversations with your friends and that fear and anxiety behind it. I think that a companion piece is a lovely idea. I like your alternative headlines - we all need some sanity and an antidote to endless gloom!
ReplyDeleteI love your phrase, "the jangly sense of panic." That perfectly captures what I was trying to express.
DeleteAn insightful and thought provoking piece and well executed.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I often wonder if the news media companies realize how they make people feel.
DeleteThis is a powerful quilt both in execution and in what it says about modern life. Her face is almost zombie like -quite scary, actually. Unfortunately, so many of us can relate to her. Constant headlines are an insidious poison. I think I'll practice piano instead of watching the news in the evening!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Maureen. She did come out quite zombie-like. I do have her hanging up in the house in a corner where I won't see her often -- my hope is that if anyone ever breaks in, a sight of her will startle them into giving up their evil ways. :)
DeleteI love the way you've designed this and put it all together. It's really quite terrifying to see all those headlines portrayed like this. It is sad thing that the media and social media has become, oftentimes now, such a negative and destructive force. I hope you will make a companion piece :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Janine. Maybe I will create a peaceful companion for her in the next challenge. :)
DeleteI admire how you went deep into this and explored all the thoughts and feelings that come up with the stress of all that is and isn't able to go on at the moment. Very thoughtful piece.
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