Theme of Craftivism Essay Paper.
Craftivism is a term that was coined by Betsy Greer and according to her, craftivism is a
way of perceiving at life where voicing opinions through creativity makes one’s voice stronger,
his or her compassion deeper and the quest for justice more infinite (Anethea and Nicole, 2011). Theme of Craftivism Essay Paper.
To put it in familiar terms, craftivism is using personal creativity to change the world. Today,
craftivism has become a worldwide movement operating at the meeting point where craft and
activism meet. Recent interviews and profiles of craftivists show that they are changing the
world through their artwork including concepts such as stitching in prisons, revolutionary
ceramics, embroidery projects, and yarn bombings among other crafts that facilitate personal
growth. According to Anethea and Nicole (2011), craftivism gives room for imaginative
examples of how craters can become creative and altruistic at the same time. A number of
craftivists such as Roberto Lugo and Carrie Reichardt have used their crafting talents to pass
statements concerning a number of societal issues though with differing approaches as will be
highlighted later in Theme of Craftivism Essay Paper.
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History of Craftivism
Before proceeding further, is important to understand that the history of craftivism dates
back to 1860s and was pioneered by William Morris in the U.K (Williams, 2011). By then, it
was largely used as a reaction against the perceived impoverished state of the decorative art of
that time in addition to the conditions in which they were produced. It employed the use of
traditional craftsmanship advocating for social and economic reforms. With crafts always being
considered as a field mainly made up of women, it is not strange to notice that much of the
contemporary craftivists movements have been influenced and driven by a good number of women. Theme of Craftivism Essay Paper.However, male characters such as Roberto Lugo have been in the frame making
enormous contribution in activism through his works (Donohue, 2014). It is a common practice
for concerned citizens to take o the streets to rally, wave placards, riot, and scale buildings to
drop banners among others as a means of calling for change. However, craftivism or using craft
for political and activist purposes is fast gaining ground as one of the fast and more popular ways
of advocating for social change, especially among majority of women. There is a long history of
women, particularly, using craft in the form of sewing, crochet, and knitting to express their
voices (Seggel, 2014). Theme of Craftivism Essay Paper.
Carrie Reichardt Craftivism
Carrie Reichardt is a self-titled craftivist whose works blurs the boundaries between craft
and activism as she uses craft techniques of mosaic, mural, and screen-printing to create intricate
and highly politicized pieces of art. She has been involved in community projects for over a
decade with her works featured in the press and several other books across the world. She has
also been involved in designing and widely consulted on matters to do with large scale mosaic
murals. Recently, Carrie was involved in community work in Miravalle, a deprived district in the
city of Mexico where she was involved in designing and installing several pieces of art and craft
work such as ‘The Revolutionary will be Ceramicsed’ and ‘The Art of Recycling’ (Craftivism:
The Art of Craft and Activism, 2014). It is important to note that Carrie has been frequently
called to address or talk about the use of craft and art as a means of protest among others.
Carrie’s recent works includes Trojan Horse that addresses hard hitting facts about the
abuse of horses. Others include The Tiki Love Truck, The London Elephant Parade, The Milan
Elephant Parade, and Mary Bamber (Greer, 2016). Theme of Craftivism Essay Paper.As indicated earlier in the text, Carrie Reichardt’s approaches are a bit different from other craftivists such as Roberto Lugo. Her expressions seem more bold, radical, and expressive in nature. For instance, Carrie’s Making a
Difference and Disobedient Objects just to mention a few are some of her uses of art that have
been used to pass political statements. She uses craft as a means of protest against several forms
of injustices or forms of discontent that may be prevalent in the society. Carrie was greatly
inspired by earlier craftivists such as William Morris in addition to with the long-standing
tradition of using subversive ceramics in the United Kingdom. It is for this reason that Carrie
created Mad in England, series of subversive souvenirs celebrating the protestor and tapping into
the national mood of dissent. For instance, Mary Bamber is Carrie’s life-sized ceramic adorned
piece of art of the revolutionary socialist, Mary Bamber which is permanently displayed at
Liverpool Museum (Garber, 2016). Theme of Craftivism Essay Paper.
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In the last few years, debates surrounding political art have yielded a number of
imperatives. Activists have designed and constructed objects used in the field to protest. The use
of objects rather than real people to pass on certain political messages is another activism method
embraced lately by a host of activists. A review of Judah Hettie’s article titled Disobedient
Objects is an exhibition intended to represent or show objects that operate outside the
commercial process. As politics become aestheticized, art tends to become politicized hence the
use of object to pass on some messages. Carrie, for instance, uses objects to pass on certain
political messages (Williams, 2014). Theme of Craftivism Essay Paper.
Roberto Lugo Craftivism
Robert Lugo comes in as another important craftivist who made enormous contributions
in the society through his pieces of work. It is argued that social and political significance Lugo’s work manifests itself clearly by taking a deeper look, especially at an American experience. By
being both an artist as well as an activist, Lugo’s work imparts a sense of fearlessness that relates
to a number of struggles that are common in the society such as racism, poverty, obesity, gang
violence, and politics among others (Greer, 2016).
As indicated earlier, Carrie and Lugo are both exceptional craftivists who pass certain
messages though with differing approaches. While Carrie is bold and more radical, Lugo, rather
than standing out and shouting platitudes or engaging in other forms of confrontation, this artist
quietly sits in his place of work crafting statements that last for long. Lugo experienced terrible
experiences as he was growing up. Being exposed to poverty and racism among others his works
are an ongoing intersection of these worlds. Lugo first learnt the use of graffiti after being taught
by another artist known as Payne. Since then, Lugo has made significant contributions to
craftivism with an emphasis on his cultural history. As a student at Kansas City Institute, Lugo
was the subject of repeated racial slurs and other insensitive comments that later found their way
into his pottery (Schulman, 2014). Theme of Craftivism Essay Paper.
Lugo’s works, in his own words were intended to be biographical narrative of the many
stories of his life. His experiences with obesity, class division, and racism greatly influenced his
works. Lugo saw some forms of injustices in the world and art gave him a way to speak in ways
that words cannot do. Just like other craftivists such as Carrie, Lugo’s ceramics contain all the
beauty and ugliness of the United States history. Some of Lugo’s selected exhibitions in 2013
include Juvenile In Justice, Ice Box, Philadelphia, Marge Brown Kalodner Graduate Exhibition,
Clay Studio, Philadelphia, Small Favors VIII, Clay Studio, Philadelphia, Imperfect Ten, Zoller
Gallery, State College, Secret Salon, SPYN Gallery, and Kansas City among others (Schulman,
2014). For instance, the main objectives of Juvenile in Justice are raising awareness and showing how the State of Philadelphia is doing to improve juvenile justice system. In addition, it will give
or provide a public platform where local organizations can provide or give opinions on how
juvenile system can further be improved. Theme of Craftivism Essay Paper.
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According to Schulman (2014), the incubators of Lugo’s practice is borne or bred from
his upbringing. The long-term evolution of his works by use of clay brings Lugo’s ideas of
putting social equality into praxis. It is important to note that Lugo is not begging for sympathy
but a young person who has found answers to adversity and other evils in the society through the
use of ceramics. Lugo’s piece of works pays homage to his background in graffiti while
elevating it to be used as a tool of art and communication.
Conclusion
In a recap, craftivism is the practice of engaged creativity, particularly with regard to
political or social issues affecting the society. Theme of Craftivism Essay Paper.By using their creative talents, several people have helped make the world a better place. Craftivists have been at the forefront in bringing out
positive change in form of personalized activism. Craftivism is an idea whose time has come. It
cannot be ignored anymore. In a world where several injustices may prevail, craftivism allows
those wishing to voice their opinions while supporting their causes a chance to do just that.
Several individuals have done it. Carrie Reichardt and Roberto Lugo among other craftivists
have used art to pass certain messages that would otherwise have been hard through the use of
the word of mouth. The symbiotic relationship between craft and activism is therefore evident
and a field that needs more participants as the society faces a multitude of challenges on daily
basis that need to be addressed. Theme of Craftivism Essay Paper.
References
Anethea, B & Nicole, B. (2011). Craft Hard Die Free: Radical Curatorial Strategies for
Craftivism. Contemporary Art (Durham and London: Duke University Press, 204-221.
Craftivism: The Art of Craft and Activism. (2014). Publishers Weekly, 261(16), 75. Theme of Craftivism Essay Paper.
Donohue, N. (2014). Craftivism: The Art of Craft and Activism. Library Journal, 139(10), 104.
Garber, E. (2016). Craft as Activism. Journal Of Social Theory In Art Education, (33), 53-66.
Greer, B. (2016). Ceramic Craftivism. Ceramics Monthly, 64(3), 22-24.
Seggel, H. (2014). Craftivism: The Art of Craft and Activism. Bitch Magazine: Feminist
Response To Pop Culture, (64), 62.
Schulman, B. (2014). Roberto Lugo. (Cover story). Ceramics: Art & Perception, (98), 48-51.
Williams, K. A. (2011). "Old Time Mem'ry": Contemporary Urban Craftivism and the Politics of
Doing-It-Yourself in Postindustrial America. Utopian Studies, 22(2), 303-320.
Theme of Craftivism Essay Paper.