Hearing Selfie with teacup made the MMCA 2023 was a highlight of this year, it was my biggest stitched selfie to date, and I took a punt to submit the reverse of the embroidery as the front of the work. Even better than I had hoped, the work was hung within the gallery space so it could be seen from all sides.
Selfie with teacup, 2023, found textile dyed with avocado skins and seeds, pencil, embroidery thread.
Selfie with teacup, 2023, found textile dyed with avocado skins and seeds, pencil, embroidery thread. Hung in the Shutter Room Gallery for the Object, group exhibition, June 2023.
Artist statement
Countering ideas commonly associated with Selfies as being superficial and momentary, the process of drawing and embroidering slows the process and creates a permanent object from a fleeting digital image. Choosing to reveal the usually hidden back of this embroidery, I invite the viewer to see what I would usually conceal, the image that forms without my attention, perhaps the hidden or subconscious self.
In ‘Seeing Ourselves: Women’s Self-Portraits’ Frances Borzello claims the Selfie lacks agency, relegating the Selfie to poorly executed folk art. I disagree, Selfies can engage with the traditions of self portraiture, and can reveal other narratives that connect with current issues and concerns.
Borzello, Seeing Ourselves: Women’s Self-Portraits, 2016.
Photo from the awards night by Maraea Timutimu. I wasn’t able to make it down to see the exhibition, but by all accounts, Selfie with teacup was in good company.
Unexpectedly, the work ended up in Art New Zealand, Autumn 2023!
Selfie with teacup, 2023, detail. Found textile dyed with avocado skins and seeds, pencil, embroidery thread.
Selfie with teacup, 2023, detail. Found textile dyed with avocado skins and seeds, pencil, embroidery thread.
specs:
Dimensions, 920 mmw x 1120 mmh
Natural dying, drawing and hand embroidery
Angela Rowe 