Installation for my exhibit in Vermont. The large framed pieces are embroidered text taken from the original handwritten statements from participants.
They were installed so the viewer could walk behind the pieces and see the stitch work from the backside. The viewer could also walk up to the large window and view the uterus flags extending out into "The Green".


Below is a detail of one of the stitched pieces done in Portuguese stem stitch with three various threads, one of them a metallic thread.

When I first started this project I was distressed at the alarming numbers of surgeries done to women for hysterectomy and C-sections, in America. Through this project I have become aware of more health concerns for women. Every participant has shared their personal concerns through the power of art. This image shows the flags as they extend to the flagpole.

 The flags extended to the window and appeared as if they were going into the gallery space.
                                                                                                                            August, 2012

The number of flags is 161, when they were exhibited in Vermont. The next exhibition is October 6th  when more flags will be added to the installation. Send me your address and I will send you a flag!

Installation 2012

 I started the flags inside the gallery space, and extended them outside into the community.

For the past two years I have been actively engaged in learning about fiber arts, feminist art theory, and women's health concerns. I have collaborated with women, and hosted Sit and Stitch sessions where participants have gathered together to stitch on pre-painted uterus flags and through conversation have shared their personal health history and knowledge about women. My goal is to educate our society about the over medicalization and overuse of hysterectomies and C-sections in our medical institutions.  I'm not saying that all the surgeries are not necessary.
My goal is to educate ourselves about becoming informed and becoming actively engaged in our medical decisions.
The quotes I used on these embroidered pieces are directly from the participants who have made the artwork for the flags.  Participant number 6 felt strongly that women should take a more active role in their health decisions.

#165. I thought this was a fantastic project to become more aware of the uterus as a woman.

#164. I never really thought about my uterus before. I had to look up a diagram and didn't know all the names of the different parts. I wanted my art piece to be detailed, colorful and beautiful.

# 163. When I was young I had a serious infection in my uterus that was too embarrassing to tell anyone about so I let it get so bad that I have REALLY bad endometriosis. This is a great project to get women and men thinking - it would be cool if every woman in the world made one.