Cacophony

I have a growing fascination with quirky, odd-shaped quilts. My first was Hulk Smash, my second, Jeep on the Grill. I had such fun making both of these, I want to make many more in non-traditional shapes.

I love making not square and not rectangular art. I enjoy creating my art in the shape of whatever the piece portrays.

My most recent piece plays with mouths. Or more accurately, lips. Fiber lips, not real lips. I’m not Hannibal Lecter, people. (You’re welcome for that reference, brother.)

SAQA has a Call for Entry out for an exhibition entitled “Layered Voices”. When I think “layered voices”, I think of tons of people talking over each other. And I think of the multitude of voices that clamor from the timelines on Facebook and Twitter and across the internet and out of the television screen, dissenting opinions dominating the feed. All those voices drown out the voices of those who need assistance. There are so many people crying for help on this planet, probably more than are on social media worldwide, yet that voice, that largest voice, is drowned out by the demands of all the people who think their opinion is the only correct one.

I usually keep my opinion to myself. Because it is just that — an opinion. But here’s what I believe: media has become pervasive, over-arching, and contaminating. So much so that opinions are formed based on whatever Media tells us to believe.

And I’m over that. How about we listen instead to that voice buried under the nonsense?

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I created ten mini lip quilts, in varying sizes, to complete Cacophony. Each “mouth” speaks. All are basted to a felt background, purely for presentation. If this piece doesn’t get into the “Layered Voices” exhibit, I may just dismantle it and hang all the lips together from extra-large puppet handles.

As always, constructive critiques are welcome.

Cacophony (link to poem)

Cacophony