Appearance Quote by Eliza Bennett
“Using my own hand as a base material, I considered it a canvas upon which I stitched into the top layer of skin using thread to create the appearance of an incredibly work worn hand. By using the technique of embroidery, traditionally employed to represent femininity and applying it to the expression of it’s opposite, I hope to challenge the pre-conceived notion that 'women's work' is light and easy. Aiming to represent the effects of hard work arising from employment in low paid ancillary jobs such as cleaning, caring, and catering, all traditionally considered to be 'women's work'”
About This Quote
Source Artist statement, contemporary art exhibition, 2023
Embroidery, traditionally feminine, is used to depict a worn, masculine hand, challenging stereotypes about women’s work being easy.
In simple terms: Using a feminine craft to show hard labor, questioning gendered labor assumptions.
Key Takeaway
Question and subvert gendered labor stereotypes.
Themes
gender
labor
artistic protest
stereotypes
Mood
provocative
reflective
Type
conceptual
political
When to use this quote
- gallery exhibition
- public installation
- educational workshop
Key Concepts
embroidery
performance art
Questions to Reflect On
- What assumptions do you hold about “women’s work”?
- How does medium affect message perception?
A Different Perspective
The visual metaphor may be misread without context.
![“[D]emanding wages for housework (…) forced recognition of the fact that the domestic work which women do has economic value. But many feminists feel that this demand leaves untouched the sexual division of labour - indeed, measures like paid maternity leave (…) can be seen as a form of’wages for…” quote by Nivedita Menon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e1e/nivedita-menon-63731_feminism_d-emanding-wages-for-housework-forced-re_1136879.jpg)
