Artist: Matt Quinn
Title: PDQ
Note from the artist: My brother died 27 years ago at the age of 42. He was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and depression and did not like to take his medication. He had visions/ hallucinations and was killed by a train while crossing the tracks near Kansas City.
Photographed at Red Wing Arts
Red Wing Minnesota
Saturday November 2nd, 2024
Threads that Bind is a two-part project about remembrance and how we can memorialize those we have lost through death. That paradox that surrounds death is that we are all missing the dead but also unwilling to talk about them in our daily life. In our culture, there tends to be a feeling of taboo or morbidity surrounding death, therefore we shy away from conversations about the death of a loved one.
Part one of Threads that Bind Is a collection of printed textiles and stitched works of art by Dawn Zero Erickson. This collection of very personal textile pieces by Dawn are in memory of people from her life. While researching, creating, and performing the multitude of repetitive steps in making these pieces, Dawn had time to cherish memories of each of these people who continue to be a prominent part of her life - a joyful sorrow.
In part two of the project Dawn led community members the workshops of meaningful making to slow stitch a remembrance for someone they have lost through death, while learning and practicing new techniques. Participants selected a small token from their loved one to include in their piece, such as buttons, textiles, cookie cutters, game pieces, a key, and jewelry. As participants designed and stitched a tangible connection to the past, a multitude of stories and memories were exchanged.
The collective stitched remembrance pieces in this exhibit bring beauty to the sadness.
