2020- In progress
Working the Borders, a series of burlap coffee bags from many countries, are hand- dyed with natural indigo, hand-embroidered, sewn with appliques of denim and cotton fabric scraps related to slavery, coffee, and sweatshop production. The colour red emphasizes highlights the labour and blood at the root of much of the production; gold thread references the wealth of the countries of importation who make the ‘real money. These thirty-six pieces could be shown individually or installed as a continuous wall/curtain, since both sides of each bag are elaborated. Harsh colonial histories of exploitation in jute, indigo, coffee, and cotton used in denim production, and the garment industry sweat shops have continued in contemporary times in many countries globally. Both current and historic labour inequities in the jute, indigo, coffee and garment industries drive this work. Consumer expectations and a sense of entitlement around coffee and blue jeans, products we take for granted on a daily basis, are elemental.
