Tread Upon - Prototype

Prototype for Tread Upon

The artwork in the photograph above is the prototype and realization of the image that impressed itself upon me. It is a floor piece and is titled Tread Upon. Having successfully showcased Tread Upon at a performance of The Vagina Monologues, the viewers reacted and conversation was initiated. Observing the viewers interaction with the piece, I envisaged ways to make it more experiential. I’m incorporating those ideas into the final piece which is in process. (Unfortunately, completion and viewing of Tread Upon is delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.)

I wrote the prose below to accompany the artwork.

Tread Upon visually brings forth an important conversation, an invitation to learn, evolve.

Repetition suggests conformity, culturally perpetuated in a myriad of ways, often swept under the rug. 

Menstrual pads, for women only. White, suggesting purity, wholeness. 

Blood represents life. Menstrual blood, womanhood.

Crochet, a domestic art, women’s work. 

Tread upon, like a rug, disregarded, disrespected, dishonored, blue sky dreams trampled.

Blood stains, egg shaped. Birth. New beginnings.

Repetition suggests solidarity, joining together in our individuality, women with men, to shift perspective to equality for all. 

The Journey Begins

In November 2019, I had a vague image hovering in the periphery of my awareness and I was content to leave it there. Then, during an Emotional Freedom Technique energy treatment in my Inspired Collective group (offered to the group to help us move past our creative blocks), the image clearly revealed itself. I emphatically said no thank you, I’m not interested in this image, I don’t want to make it, nor am I interested in the conversation that comes with it. Shortly after, during a Reiki session (thanks to a friend in training), the image showed up again! A complete, clear, strong image, no detail left out, ripe with symbolism. This time I reluctantly said ok, I’ll make it, not knowing why, but figuring there was something I needed to learn from it.

I determined to let others know I was making the piece, but not explain any more than it was a feminist piece with commentary on our patriarchal society. I didn’t want anyone’s input to interfere with the image.

As I began to make the piece, fear showed up. The implications of the piece scared me. I was afraid of looking at the bigger picture this piece was presenting. I was afraid of the conversation. I was afraid of offending people. Yet, because my fear was strong, I knew the need for me to realize this image was equally as strong.

Going through the making-process relieved my fear. The finished piece felt right and titled itself Tread Upon. I showed Tread Upon to a few trusted friends who I knew would give me honest feedback. They were affected. Their feedback was strong positive. I saw the possibilities for Tread Upon to initiate a conversation about the patriarchal system we live in.

I decided to follow the direction of the path Tread Upon was leading me in to see where it would take me. This work integrates what is most important to me: art, communication, connection, understanding, compassion, healing, growth, social justice, equality for all. Tread Upon shines light upon the underlying and invisible influence in our society that fuels inequality and it’s my hope that Tread Upon will open up the conversation for all who experience it.