Womans Textiles, Essay Example

For the final textile project, I constructed a spiral of quotes and sayings that my mother has told me over the years. These thoughts include: Nothing ventured nothing gained; Train your mind to see the good in every situation; nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful. I could go on and on with endless sayings she has told me but doing so would be like sewing a very long gown trying to finished with nervous hands.

I was inspired to do this from the mother project we did in the beginning few weeks of class. From speaking to my mother for that project, I learnt a lot more about my mother than I already knew – and quickly realized how much she has influenced me. I created the quotes in the format of a spiral – as a way of showing how it has followed me through my life so far, or perhaps my development since birth and it is an unfinished, messy piece to show how it hasn’t been a smooth journey.

It indicates a chain of things I am constantly learning throughout my life. Moreover, whilst sewing this project together, it made me think of all the texts we have read this term and artists we have looked at. Take Celie, for example, from Walker’s novel ‘The Color Purple’ – Celie’s mother passed away when she was still young, yet she learnt a lot through all the women around her in her life including her sister, and Shug. She held onto their wise words and used them to help her discover herself and become the person she was destined to become.

Another inspiring individual is Faith Ringgold, an artist noted for excellence and the uniqueness of her works. I read a quote by her where she said “I became a feminist because I wanted to help my daughters, other women and myself aspire to something more than a place behind a good man”. It is strong, bold, powerful statements like that, that really stick with me. I keep them in mind and find that the more quotes I read such as that, or being told similar ones by my mother, really help me when I’m in need of reassurance. I wish for this project I had put together a quilt made up of all the quotes that really stuck out to me during this term but felt it could have spiraled a little out of control, and the mother project was something I really wanted to expand on.

But back to this piece that I have created, not only are the quotes important to me – but also the colors I have used. When I was younger my mother always dressed me in pink. At the time I really liked it but it got to a point where it started to get embarrassing and I rebelled by wearing black. She really didn’t like this. This made me enjoy black even more. I think this is because I was choosing something for myself and not allowing her to choose for me. My mother is a kind hearted, lovely woman but also extremely controlling – so by wearing black – I felt I was taking control of myself and putting my foot down. I guess, in a way, the color black for me is what the color purple is to Celie and Alice Walker; a color that represents themes such as freedom, self-control, self respect just to name a few.

I moved to New York from London when I was 18. I had never lived away from home and it was a challenging, and even slightly terrifying time in my life. When I was in need of some reassurance, I would call my mother at home in London (Originally from Canada) and she always knew the right things to say to make me feel calmer, stronger, and in control of myself. Her “words of wisdom” allowed me to pick myself back up and keep going – hence the spiral formation of the words on my piece. It seemed as if my mother has the capacity to put b back into place no matter how messy I may have been or my decisions may have resulted to. She never left me even though we were several miles apart from each other; somehow, her words remained the bridge between me and my mother especially during the hardest trying times of my life.

I should probably talk exactly about how I put this piece together. I used only pink and black thread and sewed the quotes onto a plain white cotton sheet with a needle. That’s it. I wanted it to be as simple as possible so I could get straight to the point I was trying to make. I do wish I’d been more adventurous and added more details, more colors, more quotes, and everything on a larger scale – but that would not have felt right as it is meant to be a “work in progress” which mirrors my situatin at present.  I am only 21 years old and I am still completely unaware of what is to come.

Moreover,  to show that not only am I full of imperfections and constantly learning and growing – but so is my relationship with my mother. Our relationship is anything but perfect – for sure a work in progress – and that’s what I wanted to show in my piece. That although nothing is perfect, it is still helping in my self-development. And who better to learn from than one’s own mother? Somehow, in my quilt, my mother and her words that sews my life together every time I get torn apart.

I think this piece is not only showing my admiration for my mother and a sort of tribute to her to thank her for being such a prominent person in my life – but also my reflection of the powerful women I have learnt about throughout this course this semester. We looked extensively at some very powerful, brave, highly intelligent and determined women. There is a lot more to this piece than meets the eye. I am hoping to give it to my mother as a late mother’s day present when I return back to London.

She would have no idea that there’s so much more to it than just my admiration for her and when I see her at the end of the semester I will explain to her all that I am explaining now. That it is not only a tribute to her but also a reflection of all the incredible novels, stories, poems, artwork, quilt work, etc that I learnt about this semester. The more I look at this piece – the more I think of self-development. I read Alice Walker’s ‘The Color Purple’ during the Christmas holidays before class – right before I signed up to join the class. I was so happy when I saw we would be studying it during the semester as I felt I had it still fresh in my mind. When I read the novel – it felt so good to read about Celie’s self-development throughout the novel. Like watching a flower bloom, it was an extremely beautiful experience for me as a reader, even though the experience for Celie herself was clearly an endless struggle.

Celie creates her self-identity through writing. Even though through her actions she does not resist people who ignore, humiliate and abuse her, through her writing, she is able to speak to one person she considers to be understanding and non-judgmental: God. She reflects on her own feelings and the things that happened to her, because she is not allowed to discuss them with anybody. As readers, we can see that Celie has no friends and nobody to trust. The novel is a story of a woman who never stands up for herself, but finds a way to make other people’s lives easier. She is a people pleaser and spends her time doing what makes others happy, whilst forgetting about her own happiness. Happiness and personal choice are two things Celie is completely unaware of. Her father tells her “better not ever tell nobody but God”; she speaks to God and him alone. Celie discovers her own identity and voice throughout the process of writing down events and reflecting on them. However, the turning point comes when Shug sings a song and dedicates it to her. She suddenly starts feeling important: a woman she admires and looks up to – sings her a song. She says: “First time somebody made something and name it after me”. Her reflection is important because she is slowly starting to discover her self-worth. From this point in the book, she starts realizing her role and qualities more clearly.

Shortly after her self-discovery, the first time in her life, she tells somebody about the abuse: Shug. When Shug wants to leave, Celie comes out and tells her: “He beat me when you not here”. (48). This statement clearly explains to us why she put up with the situation of her husband’s lover living in the house. She is finally coming forward. She tells Shug that she was beaten “For being me and not you”. She starts to understand human relationships better than any time before in the book. She understands motivations, love and admiration. She openly talks to her husband’s lover about her sexual life.

She confesses that she does not mind them sleeping together because she has neither feelings for him, nor passion. Through discovering her own femininity, she slowly develops her identity as a woman. She develops the desire for something more. Something magical that she never knew existed. She meets Sophia again and the meeting gives her a new sense of self again. She sees a strong woman who could find happiness; who fought for it; who overcame difficulties and did not settle, unlike her. The conversation between the two women shows Celie’s self-discovery process. “Life don’t stop just cause you leave home, Miss Celie. You know that.

My life stop when I left home, I think. But then I think again. It stop with Mr. _____ maybe, but start up again with Shug.” (51). She starts thinking about her own life and options, instead of obeying others to stay away from conflicts.

She discovers her own strength, and the narrative voice is getting stronger at the same time. The reason she develops relationships and friendships with women is because she is not afraid of them. This explains her feelings for Shug and the homosexual sensation that is a theme of the second part of the book. Her role and behavior gets a new meaning when Sophia gets into prison. She used to admire Sophia before for standing up for herself and not letting people bully her. She thought that it was another way of dealing with the situation. However, when Sophia is in prison, she uses Celie’s methods to cope. Celie becomes a role model. Sophia confesses: “Every time they ask me to do something, Miss Celie, I act like I’m you. I jump right up and do just what they say.” (55).

She realizes the power she can gain through her behavior. She is compared to other wives several times and realizes that in the end she has the upper hand. The color purple is the color she assigns for her own personality. She knows this in the beginning, but when she goes shopping for a new dress, the only options are other colors. The color choices she makes have a symbolic meaning. She has to settle with the colors she has; likewise, she needs to settle with the life and roles that she is assigned. Later, she writes, when she awakens to a spiritual consciousness, that God made her “the color purple”. Starting fresh, with more power and a clean slate, her husband paints his house white: the symbol of a new beginning.

Reflecting so much on Celie’s development makes me feel I should include some of the words my mother used to describe her own: “I would like to think that we/I have helped shape and influence our children’s lives in a positive life enhancing way”. There is a connection that you make with your mother that transcends any words. Ihavefollowed my mother by example and have taken all the best of what she offered me. In return I hope I honor this by ensuring Margaret Thatcher’s values are passed through me onto my children. I believe I have an obligation to not just my children and to the honor of my mother but for the benefit of all mankind to do more for humanity through continuedcharitywork giving of ourselves in whatever capacity that we can.

To make a difference in even one person’s life is to have lived a meaningful life. I’m thankful for all that life has given me but no more so than for the gift of my children.I am a feminist. Feminism has a personal definition for everyone; and my own definition and how it has impacted on my life is my own story. But I believe that being a feminist does not mean you have to compromise your values or your moral beliefs for a man to feel the stronger /provider or as in hunter/gatherer as his own nature. A woman should be able to take pride on who she is or what she can do. Through many points, she should never let her husband’s insecurities or behaviors come into different terms with the way she wants to identify herself as a woman and as a human being.

I like wearing makeup (on occasion) for my man and being feminine. It’s part of being a woman and I like having a man open the door and the many other womanly traits though for some this is probably not the dictate of a staunch feminist – you don’t have to be a lesbian or an extreme feminist in order to appreciate the cause of the feminist movement (or feminism) and what it stands for or represents its all in the interpretation of what’s right for you. Live true to your beliefs whatever they may be …as they are yours.

Each new generation of women will continue the fight for the right to equality nowhere is this more necessary than in the workplace. I applaud all women who strive for greater equality such asCEO’s, DRs’, lawyers and all women who work tirelessly in pursuit for not just equality of pay but to stop sexual harassment and fighting for the vast inequalities that are ever present between men and women. Personal ambition is undoubtedly an asset but well done (or thank you) to all those who fight against sexist structures in the workforce.

We are all swayed to some extent in our conscience by media sexism which sadly does a lot to perpetuate unhelpful stereotypes – encouraging women to be sexualized is not necessarily relevant to feminism as its a woman’s choice -allowing sports illustrated or victorias secret models to expose themselves for the benefit of men is a woman’s individual choice. What is unacceptable is sexual harassment or sexual violence in any form and this needs to be continually addressed as a feminist issue.Each new generation of women will continue to fight for the right to equality. Many women have inspired me in my time and it is wonderful to witness the abilities of women who empower themselves individually and collectively for the benefit of our future generations.I was inspired by Margaret Thatcher as even though she didn’t consider herself to be a feminist she was considered equal in what has historically been a mans world of politics. Eleanor Roosevelt said something we should all remember …no one can make you feel inferior without your permission”.

I think if one reads the entirety of my response to the mother project, one will see how opinionated my mother is. For me, I feel it is either her way or no way at all. Some might see this conceited, however, for me, this attitude of my mother kept her standing where she was allowing her to be the best kind of mother that she has been to me.

The inspiration I got from my mother and the other women that were considered in this course will continue to affect me as I develop personally. Their thoughts on being determined and focused in life and the goals that we establish for ourselves will continue to embark great value of development for me as I take on the challenge of facing new chapters in my life. Of course, I will remain imperfect, I will make mistakes, and I would embrace this dent in me, as making mistakes would only make it easier for me to see the better option and make sure that the lessons learned would be charged to time and that they would be used to improve whoever or whatever I will become in the future. True to its sense, this project did not only help me understand more about my mother and the other women featured in class, it actually allowed me to embrace a distinct understanding of myself and how I embrace change, letting it shape myself and my future at the same time.