Needle Work

by Emily Ferro Sortor

“In my work, I explore the way and which cumulative learning and labor can form abstract compositions. In Needle Work, this examination of labor is multifaceted. While I originally conceived of this work without a specific theme in mind, elements of the American empire began to emerge organically during the creative process. The repeated application and removal of media, paired with the incorporation of old New York Times newspaper, reflects the cyclical nature of labor and the impermanence of power structures. The whitewashed section of the canvas, resembling a tattered American flag, inadvertently symbolizes the crumbling of the empire. The work's emphasis on ongoing labor through the use of thread and a needle evokes the constant effort required to maintain an extractive and destructive system. In this piece, a visual commentary on the contemporary political and climate landscape organically emerged, highlighting the interconnectedness of individual actions and societal structures.”