I made this hybrid American flag/swastika to talk about the possible direction and future of our country. The American flag has been a symbol of liberty, justice and pride for centuries. For some people, like myself, the flag has lost its honor. As a child, I was a firm believer in what our flag stood for, but as I grow and witness what extremists in power do in its name, I am saddened. I believe we need to remember what we stand for, and not allow our symbol of justice and liberty to become full of fear and hate.
Prophets, Quilt with embroidery, 71 x 85 in, 2012, Donated to The Kinsey Institute
The act of teaching and learning passed down history is how we keep memories, ideas, and these trades alive. Just like the act of handing down these techniques and the quilts themselves through family members, families can also pass down prejudice and ideas of hate.
I use this soft quilt form to make harsh commentary, and to reinforce the fact that smaller, ‘softer’ forms of prejudice are what lay the groundwork for extreme intolerance and hate.
This quilt, Prophets, compares current American political, popular and religious figures to Adolf Hitler. I am hoping my audience will question who they vote for, celebrities they admire, and the sermons they listen to.
The Christian Values Network (CVN) is an online shopping service that raises money for a variety of religious groups from products and services purchased through the site. Over 600 businesses are listed on the website including many popular chains. Some of the groups that receive money from the CVN are Focus on the Family, Family Research Council, Summit Ministries, Abiding Truth Ministries and the Liberty Counsel. Each of these groups has been identified as an anti-gay hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Phelps Protest Series, Silkscreen, 20 x 26 in, 2011
Trans Walkway. Photos, Wood, Silkscreen and Shellac, 6 1/4 x 3 1/4 ft, 2009
Transgender Walkway is a memorial to my murdered transgender ancestors. This piece depicts the entire list of 249 (reported) victims of transphobia in the United States from the late 1970’s to 2008. I ask my viewers to walk upon my work as a reminder of the respect given to my transgender ancestors in life and in death, and to acknowledge that in a way we are all implicated in perpetuating inequity where it still persists.
The smaller maps below (nondiscrimination laws, hate crime laws and reported murders) outline why the map is colored as such. Red for dangerous to green for safe.
