Wounds We Wear

Join Mahwish Chishty for a community-based workshop exploring the emotional and societal impact of modern warfare in the United States. Join Mahwish Chishty and AboutFace members Alex Foss and Zachary Kam for a community-based workshop exploring the emotional and societal impact of modern warfare in the United States. Participants will respond to the question, “How do you feel about the current wars?” through symbolic visual designs that are transformed into hand-embroidered patches. These patches will become part of a repurposed Vietnam War-era U.S. Air Force uniform, creating a collective portrait of participants’ experiences and reflections on war. The workshop uses embroidery and shared creative labor as a way to make personal and often hidden responses to warfare visible. Participants will have an opportunity to create, reflect, and engage in dialogue with others around the themes of identity, memory, conflict, and community. 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. The workshop begins with introductions and a brief presentation of three previous projects that relate to Wounds We Wear. The artist will then demonstrate five basic embroidery stitches for participants who would like to learn. 12:00–4:00 p.m. An open workshop period will follow, inviting participants to continue embroidering, develop their own designs, or begin working on new pieces. Participants are welcome to join the workshop at any point during this period. No prior embroidery or art experience is required. Materials will be provided. Participants are welcome to bring a military uniform or other garment to adorn. Venue: Hyde Park Art Center - The Pond