STITCHING TOGETHER ORDINARY LIVES
English artist Maria Walker’s mixed media creations are an homage to working class family life in the 1920s. While browsing in an antique shop, Maria stumbled upon a batch of old letters. Fascinated by her country’s past, and the frequently ignored lives of women, Maria started (a bit guiltily) to read these private letters between members of the Lightfoot family. The humanity they expressed so moved her that she set upon giving their authors a voice. Masterfully combining old photographs and found objects, vintage fabric, buttons, and lace, Maria’s artwork and texts tell the stories she discovered in these once forgotten letters.
Be sure to click on the square thumbnail images to view larger, full-sized images, and to read poignant tales of both a long-dead family and our shared humanity.
Ada’s Washing Line
Installation of made and found garments, 70-200 cm (variable), Private Collection
Lean into the Wind
Textile cutwork & found vintage typewriter, 200 x 40 cm, Private Collection
Frances’s Suitcase
Installation with vintage suitcase, 47 x 44 x 33 cm, Private Collection
A Woman’s Work Is Never Done
Printed & embroidered textile with old sewing machine, 80 x 40 x 20 cm, Private Collection