I Am A Divisive Issue

Jill Kerttula

50 x 30 inches

2019

ARTIST STATEMENT

At age 27, my daughter found her true self as a transgender woman. While she tries to live a private and normal life, she has to be vigilant of people and of her surroundings. This requires bravery, humor, patience, confidence, compassion, or some combination thereof. She has found some people are supportive, and many try to understand, but there are those who will judge her to be divisive at best, or unacceptable at worst. I am in awe of her ability to negotiate through this barrage of judgement with grace — changing minds as she does.

MATERIALS

Original photograph, fabric paint, custom fabric, commercial fabric

Painting, weaving, free motion stitching, hand-stitching