Textile protest: artists, activism and the historical power of cloth in protest

Abstract

"Whether fighting for gender equality, protesting conflict and racial injustice, or raising awareness about the climate emergency, textiles have been used in many forms including banners, flags, items of clothing and fine art pieces to express resistance and unite people across different causes. Thoughtfully illustrated throughout, Textile Protest includes examples such as the knitted Pussyhats of the 2017 Women's March, protest textiles from the Guerrilla Girls, Pride flags that celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, and the huge variety of textile art in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. This book also covers the rich history of fine art textiles with political themes including Judy Chicago's iconic 1970s installation The Dinner Party and Faith Ringgold's The Flag is Bleeding, and interviews with prominent activist artists that give further insight into the way everyday materials can be repurposed to create arresting political art. For social justice or peace, to defy oppression or to celebrate liberty, to honour hope and equality or to express solidarity with others, people have made and united behind protest textiles for decades. This book forms a valuable history of their contribution to resistance, showing how textiles have served as powerful tools for activism and storytelling across cultures, campaigns and eras."-- Back cover.

Contents

In memoriam. NAMES Project AIDS memorial quilt -- The Hillsborough patchwork quilt -- The Grenfell memorial quilt -- The impact of Covid-19 -- The Holocaust -- Shrouds -- 'And still I rise." Women's suffrage -- The women's liberation movement -- Feminism -- Black feminism -- Protesting gender-based violence : Reclaim the night ; #MeToo ; Provoke/protect ; Abolish #522 -- Menstruation and period poverty : Menstrual artists -- Abortion rights -- The pussyhat -- International Women's Day -- 'HER'Story -- Identity. Intersectionality -- Gender and sexuality -- Pride and protest -- Class : Trade unions ; Solidarity -- Race and resistance -- The American Civil Rights Movement : The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People ; Rosa Parks & the Montgomery Bus Boycott ; Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jr & the Southern Christian Leadership Conference -- Police brutality and institutional racism : Black Lives Matter ; George Floyd ; #SayHerName ; #WomanLifeFreedom -- Disability -- Rebels against regimes. The Spanish Civil War : ¡No pasarán! -- Apartheid : The African National Congress -- Displacement -- Enforced disappearances -- Arpilleras -- The Arab Spring -- The watermelon -- We stand with... -- Peace & mobilization. Anti-war : Not in my name -- The nuclear arms race and the Cold War -- The campaign for nuclear disarmament : A symbol for nuclear disarmament -- Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp -- Anti-gun campaigns in the United States : Mass shootings -- Gun control and legislation : Sandy Hook Promise ; Brady ; Everytown ; Wear Orange -- Resistance for existence. Climate change : The Paris Agreement ; Greenpeace -- Fossil fuels : Sacred Stone Camp -- Campaign to protect Pont Valley -- Extinction rebellion -- Just stop oil : Environmental degradation -- Fast fashion -- Textile waste: landfill and ocean pollution -- Swear it well. Fashion and costume : Slogan t-shirts ; Cultural dress -- Everyday textiles : Dusters ; Tea towels ; Underwear -- The umbrella -- Craftism : Embroidery ; Yarn bombing -- -- Reflections. Worldwide designated days.