The three art works I have present: Chi-Lee 1, Chi-Lee 2, Chi-Lee 3 are my interpretation of the play Lysistrata by Aristophanes. In Lysistrata a band of women tap into the awesome power of sex in order to end a war. Spike Lee Picks up on this theme to create an important and moving film ‘Chi-Raq’. In Lee’s film a group of women organize against the ongoing violence in Chicago’s Southside creating a movement that challenges the nature of race, sex and violence in America and around the world.
I relate to the film because I believe in Lee’s vision(s). He made the play quite clear to me. He brought contemporary problems in Chicago to life in a real and gritty way. Finally, I lived in Chicago for five years, I know what he is talking about.
Using textiles to ‘speak’ about the concepts of the play was most certainly a challenge. Compositionally I’m separating opposing warring sides by using textiles that are the extreme opposites ex: gold sequins vs raw jute or black tweed. These are abstract visual ideas that meet the message of the play head on. Since I have been sewing for a long time, I had a large supply of fabrics to choose from.