Target reached!
An extra £1000 would allow the quilt to be toured to more exhibition venues across t...
'Comfort': Creating the Breast Quilt.
Derbyshire, United Kingdom
Aim
‘Comfort’, gathers stories & artwork about breasts. We will create a large embroidered quilt, shared in a touring exhibited across the UK.
Project aims
Your support will allow artist Lois Blackburn to send postal art packs with everything you might need for creating a piece for the Comfort quilt, posted direct to your home.
Every woman has a story about their breasts, from prepubescent hopes, to the realities of old age, from the joys or frustrations of breastfeeding, to sexualization, from operations and hormones for health or cosmetic issues, transgender women feminisation or simply experiences of joy and acceptance. These are women’s stories of embarrassment, pleasure, pain and joy.
Image above courtesy of Helen Sergeant.
This is a project for women and teens (including the trans and non-binary) to tell their own stories in their own terms in words and images. It will allow us to process our experiences and feel like our voices are being heard. Through creative activity, and a touring exhibition, Comfort will support people to build their self-image, self-esteem, confidence and knowledge.
About me
For 14 years, between 2006 and 2021, I co-directed the arts company arthur+martha, during which time I lead the art for a wide range of projects, running workshops with isolated older people, people at risk of homelessness, people with dementia, war widows, and carers.
I have exhibited and worked locally, nationally and internationally, both collaboratively and on solo projects, being equally at home in a residency at a Bingo Hall or exhibiting at museums and galleries, in the UK and abroad.
Bringing us together
This project allows for a great variety of engagement depths, depending on circumstances and needs. Whatever your story, whether you are experienced and confident in embroidery or a complete beginner, all contributions are important, all will be welcome. I will guide you through the making of your piece. You can work on your piece on your own or why not gather together to make your artwork with friends?
In my art practice I often create issue-based pieces, often using quilt making. My aim is to create art that is vibrant, evocative, approachable and connects people together, creating art that values everyone’s contribution, whether a professional, amateur or hobbyist.
Why £500?
My project Comfort has received support from Arts Council England. I now need your help to raise the match funding costs of £500 to support the mail-art outreach work.
'Mental health, addictions, all mixed into one. I hardly speak to anyone. I feel calmed down working on this project with you.'
Participant, previous mail-art project Here Comes the Sun
Detail of art quilt 'Here Comes the Sun.' Postal project.
Your support will go towards:
- Match funding for the Arts Council England support
- To reach people facing financial barriers to taking part in art
- Help me to work with 100 women and teens from across the UK
- Give opportunities for the women and teens to discuss and examine stories about breasts, narratives of joy, pain, health and beauty
- Post, package and materials for mail-art packs
“I have breastfed both my children. I had postnatal psychosis after both births of my girls and I breastfed through it. For me (I realise this might not be the case for every woman) but breastfeeding saved my life. It enabled me to find a reason to stay alive - I felt I must feed my babies. I am so grateful to my breasts.”
Jo, Participant
Terms & Conditions
The rewards offered will be posted or hand delivered locally from the 7th December. I will use Royal Mail 2nd Class postage. Please note there may still be disruption with the postal service.
Zoom and face-to-face workshops can be booked from 7th Dec 2022 until the end of April 2022. If we cannot come to an arrangement I will offer a full refund.
This project successfully funded on 1st December 2022