Embroidered Edifice:



A few years ago I decided to make a very private, public work.  I came upon this community arts center with some rotten clapboards near its entrance door.  I measured the hole and proceeded to make an “Embroidered Edifice” for it.  The piece entailed embroidering multiple layers of french knots upon each other in the specific size of the hole I would fill.  I came back and installed the piece into the hole.  It was daytime and I was nervous.



It was extremely satisfying.  Whenever I was in town, I would go back and check on it.  The thing is, this is not a place where public art or graffiti are considered acceptable.  In fact, they would definitely be considered defacement of property.  So, when I placed the piece, and later when I checked on it, I felt a rush of excitement - my heart banging loudly against my chest.

I always expected the piece to be removed.

So many people entered through that door.

But, it always remained.

I hadn’t checked on it in a long while and returned yesterday.  To my surprise it was still there, albeit a little worse for wear.



Embroidered Edifice, #1  (three years later)