“Equal Means Equal” by Jessica Levitt
Artist’s Statement:
This quilt was created to be carried as a protest sign for The Women’s
March on Washington on Jan. 21, 2017. The making of the quilt was an outlet for
me to work through the extreme emotions of disillusionment, anger,
disappointment, and fear that I have been experiencing since the presidential
election of 2016.
Choosing a message was a daunting task for me, as there were so many
issues about which I want to stand and be heard. But, ultimately, the most
personal for me is sexism. I believe in equality and rights for all people
regardless of sex, race, religion, sexual preference, wealth or any other
distinction you can come up with. I hope for a world where love and tolerance
are normal, and fear and hate are diminished.
It was a surprise to me to discover that our Constitution does not
have an Equal Rights Amendment (because it fell three states short of
ratification) and that my rights as a woman are not protected within it. While
the rights of women have come far since it was first proposed back in 1923,
their protection in our Constitution is more important now with the current
government in place and threatening to reverse many of them. If now is not the
time, then when?
The quilt background is improvisational piecing with lots of
meaningful details in the fabric to describe my resistance to the current
president’s agenda including: bicycle (for suffragettes), science, nature,
love, music, safety pins, peace symbol, quotation marks, chaos, and words such
as “start somewhere” and “Love.”
The reverse of the quilt is taken directly from a suffragette banner
and expresses the power of standing together to be heard. The experience of
going to the march and being part of the voice of millions was beautiful and
empowering. I was proud to use my art to express my views and saw many who did
the same. I’m grateful for the democracy we live in, and the freedoms I have
that allow me to stand up and speak out. And … I am fiercely protective of
them.
Hear a message from Jessica about her piece below:
Loved the book & the MANY beautiful works so sorry I didn't see call to enter my art quilts, " Build a democratic BRIDGE to the future, not a WALL of pink promises". Congrats on YOUR artwork!
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