| By Lily Homer March, 2019 |
Well-designed objects can change the way we live. A soft bathrobe, a rubber spatula for scraping cake batter into a baking pan, or thick window curtains that block out early morning sun and let us get a little extra sleep can impact how we feel, create comfort, and instill pride –– they can even influence our interpersonal relationships.
Plastic Basket, Josh Blackwell
Artists apply this idea to everyday objects, and bring beauty to the spaces they occupy. Many needleworkers center everyday items in their artwork, elevating and personalizing household décor and telling us stories through the items that compose their lives. Lithuanian artist Severija Incirauskaite-Kriauneviciene turns junked car hoods and rusted buckets into cross-stitch canvases. Kirsty Whitlock reclaims discarded items like used newspapers or receipts and transforms them into wall art with a needle and floss.
EVERY STICK HAS TWO ENDS. 2012. Shovel parts, wood, cotton. Cross-stitch, drilling. Permanent collection of museum “Les Musees de la civillisation” in Quebec, Canada. Photo by Modestas Ežerskis.
Embroidery on blankets, clothing, and upholstery has a long history in the United States and around the world. Since the 1700s, American quilts and coverlets have been intended for use as well as decoration. In their heyday, handkerchiefs could be worth a small fortune and wer presented to nobles in the Elizabethan court –– they were used to wipe away sweat and blow one’s nose, but also to adorn a suit jacket the way cufflinks and lapels do.
lace handkerchief, lace made England or France, mid-19th century/ LACMA/ photo by Ashley Van Haeften/Flickr
This idea is not just about buying new things for a serotonin rush. It’s also about appreciating what we already have and potentially transforming old, used, or discarded items through embellishment and care. When we are fortunate enough to have time and resources to introduce beauty into our lived spaces, and to dress ourselves in clothes that make us comfortable and confident, we can appreciate that as a gift.
Hand Crafted Beaded Wood African Stool with Adinkra Symbols, “Adinkra Sankofa”, from Novica, which supports local artisans
We like to beautify the objects that we surround ourselves with, because it matters what fills up the spaces we live and work in. We might patch up a favorite dress or save up for a new pair of shoes because it’s worth it to feel proud of what we wear. Beautiful things make life more pleasant.
Let’s make our lives more beautiful by embellishing on found objects together. We’ll be teaching a two-part class on March 14 and 21 from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Register here.