It has been estimated that domestic violence has increased by over 35% during this period of Covid 19 and the lockdowns created to try and restrict the spread of the virus.
It would be bad enough living with an abuser but being trapped in a house for weeks on end would obviously exacerbate any tension.
You just never know what goes on in other people’s lives as I also considered in my Cloth in Common piece – Behind Closed Doors
This quilt started with the same feelings of helplessness.
I have always been fascinated with the aerial images of suburbs with new developments you see in the media . These often have identical houses for street after street. In Australia, where I live, the red tile roof is a classic. In new areas there are often minimal spaces for gardens and few trees.
The three purple houses symbolise the possible homes which hide a secret and the spiral quilting denotes things spiralling out of control. I chose purple as it is the colour of bruises.
I painted fabric in shades of dark, medium and light shades for the roofs to create the impression of shadows.
Artistic licence prevailed in the overall image but my goal was to create a suburb. These fabric were fused to create the houses and positioned on hand dyed fabrics.
The streets are long and deserted with only a few trees to break them up. These trees were created by painting silk organza and fused onto the footpaths with the shadows painted on.
DOWN THE STREET
39″ x 39″
Hand Painted & hand dyed fabrics
Fused raw edge applique
Free Motion quilted
What a great depiction of a sad topic. Well done!
Thanks Deb
You once again tackled this painful and sad subject with mastery. The 3d effect of the roofs is compelling and you visualize the threats very well.
Thank you so much Regina
Quietly powerful, like the hidden abuse.
Thanks. I appreciate you commenting
You’ve hit upon one of the hidden dangers of this isolation. Every marriage goes through a petri dish stage — everything gets concentrated and either the bad stuff grows or goodness blossoms.
Unfortunately it seems to be happening more and more
This is powerful, Lisa. The image and the story really bring home an important and too often hidden story that, sadly, we are seeing around the world. Thanks for sharing this striking piece.
It is very sad.
Beautiful piece, well done. Sad people hide something so secretive, evil, sad, from the world and people who could help. The story of your process well done.
Thanks Susan. I appreciate you writing
Enjoyed reading about your quilt but it’s a very sad topic.
Thanks Mary – yes you are right – a very sad topic
Lisa, this tells a sad and violent story. If we only knew which doors to knock on and offer support! Well done.
Thanks Jeanne – yes it is sad but needs to be identified