Melissa Webb
Meet Your Makers I, 2023
Crocheted doilies, rhinestones, metal chain16
40.6 x 30.5 x 30.5 cm
Copyright The Artist
$ 1,800.00
Just as the cultural contributions and labors of women are grossly under-studied and often uncredited, lace and crochet handwork have been undervalued and largely discarded by contemporary society. Hand-made decorative...
Just as the cultural contributions and labors of women are grossly under-studied and often uncredited, lace and crochet handwork have been undervalued and largely discarded by contemporary society. Hand-made decorative objects have long been looked down upon in the art world, seen as low-brow or kitsch, and designated dismissively as craft. Descendants of makers may keep and cherish such heirlooms for a while, but eventually their histories fade and disappear, along with their perceived value. Whether such detailed doilies and crocheted linens are found at an estate sale, an ebay listing, or in an antique mall bargain bin, fathomless stories of domestic life, sacrifice, and enduring love are entwined in their stitches. With “Meet Your Makers I II III”, Webb honors the individual and collective histories of generations of women makers held within these textiles.