ARTIST STATEMENT
My 19 year-old granddaughter called to let me know Roe vs. Wade had been struck down. She was sobbing, it’s very personal for her. I listened and began to rage inside. I tried to reassure her that she would always be taken care of no matter what it took. She said, “LeLa, I’m not crying for me, I’m crying for all those girls that don’t have Lela’s.” I was gutted.
My Body, My Choice was no longer an option. We live in Texas, enough said.
Roe 2.0 screamed for my ART!
The haunting images of coat hangers, the whispered gossip about teenage girls being sent off to boarding school, and the sacrifices of lives that were lost weigh heavy on my soul. Anger at the helplessness of women over their bodies, their choices, their lives.
Women and girls have a right to defend themselves against sexual violence, incest, and unwanted pregnancies. Abortion is Women’s Healthcare, our anatomy shouldn’t prevent our equal rights. My piece is a strong testament for women and to women.
“Women Bleed…men DON’T” is a hand stitched wall hanging. Every stitch is a strong reflection of my passion for Women’s Rights.
The milagros, (charms) are pieces I’ve collected over the years through travels into Mexico. The black linen is recycled from worn throw pillows purchased in mercados (markets). The menstrual pad has been hand-dyed with cochineal powder harvested and ground by Indian women from Peru. The red sari ribbon is recycled from worn saris. The red mesh is a recycled potato bag.
Lastly, the coat hanger marks the tragic loss of progress we all considered sacred.The rawness of my work evokes the emotion of great loss and a cold slap in the face. Our respect, autonomy, and equality has been struck down.
Are we to be condemned to coat hangers as our only choice? We are the ones that bleed and reproduce. We are the ones who labor, we are the ones who have ownership over our bodies and our choices. NO one else should. We will not be silenced.
I’m a feminist and a female.
Art is one of the methods I use to continue to fight for Women’s Rights. And the Rights for my granddaughters, grandson and all of humanity to live their lives on equal ground.
Women bleed to give life!
ABOUT THE ARTIST
I’m a 73 year old woman born and raised in Texas, 5th generation. My tastes are strongly influenced by my Mexican heritage. My homes are always a reflection of my tastes. Eclectic, warm, inviting, and bright. I saw my home as a place to express myself.
I grew up spending summers and holidays in Mexico visiting family. Countless hours were spent in local markets, eating street food, attending masses, and listening to beautiful Spanish language and music.”Mi corazon esta en Mexico,” (my heart resides in Mexico.) My mantra in life…
I didn’t discover my voice as an artist until I was in my 60’s. I learned to weld and metal art became a passion. From high heels and suits to metal toed shoes, hard hats and metal scrap yards became my favorite hangouts. Metal sculptures take shape becoming mobiles, birds, trees, and nests. Hearts and wings fashioned from car bumpers, fly wheels and unknown steel thingies. All my pieces are hand cut with acytelene torch, hand beaten, and formed through intense heat exposure.
My work was included and recognized in various galleries throughout Dallas. Fiber art, was an unknown world to me. Sew, are you kidding? But a dear friend introduced me to “meditation stitching.” A world of color, materials, threads, texture and ribbons brought me such joy. I see each piece as a blank pallet to fill with messages, feelings, emotions, and love.
My Mexican heritage has been one of the richest gifts in my life. One as a young teenager I desperately wanted concealed. Afraid of being rejected. Loud and Proud my art is a nod to all the love and beauty that was bestowed in my soul by a rich culture that found its home in my heart and in my art.
© Linda Thomas