In her series „Sewn Drawing“, 35-year old Minneapolis-based artist Jessica Wohl (a trained illustrator) takes on embroidery to mask the characters on found photographs and digital prints and uses sewing to embody the metaphor of the human need to „keep it together“ and prevent life from „ripping apart at the seams“.
“While subtly implying that my subjects are flawed, the handmade mark in this work, including drawing, cutting and sewing, is evidence of our human condition—that is, we create our own realities and we are not as perfect as we may seem. As a timeless method of fixing and mending, I use sewing as a metaphor for “keeping it together.” This relentless need to prevent things from “ripping apart at the seams” speaks to the human need for connection, while simultaneously masking this vulnerability to appear composed in the eyes of others”, says Jessica Wohl.
Her work evolves around the concept of home and it’s residents. And looks can be deceiving with the use of drawing and sewing on family based imagery. A real disorder of these representations of domestic perfection and happiness, really.
