ARTIST STATEMENT
“All for Onesie and Onesie for All” repurposes discarded or flawed American flag patches to confront the contradictions between the ideals the flag represents and the current state of our nation. While the American flag is meant to symbolize freedom, equality, and unity, this work exposes how those values are often compromised—especially in times of political unrest, systemic injustice, and growing division. By constructing an infant onesie from these imperfect emblems, the piece underscores a powerful truth: we are all born equal, before society imposes its hierarchies and prejudices. The onesie becomes both a symbol of innocence and a call to return to our foundational principles—reminding us that resistance begins with reclaiming the promise of equality for every individual in a fractured democracy.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Denise Yaghmourian (b. 1967, Bethpage , New York) is a fiber artist creating abstract works using fabric, thread, and unconventional materials such as hook and eye tape—typically used in bra and corset making. Her work features expansive fields of color layered with intricate stitching, exploring themes of repetition, structure, and the beauty found in everyday materials. Yaghmourian moved to Arizona at the age of 8 and grew up in Phoenix. She spent most of her childhood years swimming in the family pool, exploring the desert environments with friends. and spending time sewing and crocheting with her Armenian Grandmother. She earned her BFA from Arizona State University, in Tempe, Arizona, in studio art and art education. Yaghmourian has participated in national and international exhibitions including Tucson Museum of Art (permanent collection), Visions Textile Museum, Phoenix Art Museum, Udinotti Museum, and Kent State Art Museum.
Yaghmourian currently lives and works in Arizona.
© Denise Yaghmourian