Synthesis study task 9

Throughout this investigation Naylor-Wardle also tries to establish an opinion into what feminism means. Dismissing the image of ‘The Default Man’(Perry,TheDesentOfMan,p14,2016 ) that women sometimes adopt to be taken seriously in patriarchal society , and replacing. As such the process, she uses to create her images, fabrics and embroidery can be interpreted as tradionally female, however it is about taking owner over them and re appropriating them it fit into a different context of celebrating the female from. With this employing some the practical theorises of practitioners such as Shannon Downey is a Chicago based artist, feminist and fabric artist.

Historically sewing was considered women's work, preparing girls for a domestic life. But this is why Downey states is why she loves it so much. Not because of the domesticity of it but the history of community it has surrounding it. 'I feel fortunate to be able to use this medium to talk about politics and social justice freely. I feel like I owe it to the women who come before me who couldn't.' Downey (date viewed 1/3/2017) http://moorewomenartists.org/badass-cross-stitch-activism-stitching-shannon-downey/.

Naylor-Wardle also uses print and pattern to break down the images with the intention of making them slightly obscure and driving the viewer to decipher what is depicted. The reasoning behind doing this is so the patters could potentially be used in a more commercial context, as McIntosh states ‘postcards, picture books, greeting cards… magazines’ (McIntosh, White Privilege: Unpacking the invisible knapsack,(1988 hence spreading the wider message. Print and repetition is an effective way of mass producing imagery, whist also being ascetically pleasing on the eye and is a very versatile. Although Naylor – Wardle’s investigation is highly experimental, the shapes are sometimes too abstract to read what they are. The larger whole image pieces seem to translate more strongly as there is a less confining space, and there is a more information. (see figures 2 and 3) There could have been more thought to colour as well. Using again a traditional female colour, pink, mixed with others again makes for a successful aesthetic but it needs more context behind it. Considering more colour theorist and studying the connotations behind different colours could have added another level to the concept. At the end of her project, Naylor –Wardle states the opinion that feminism is a theory that is all inclusive. That just because society labels certain activities and actions, as feminine, it is by no means the definitive view and just because you may partake in these and you are still a feminist. It is about having the freedom to do what you want without the attachment of gender stigmas.