Labour of love

Abstract

This thesis statement is about the ongoing examination of the relationship between my mother and myself as viewed through works of art. I will explore the parallel actions we take in our daily lives that are obsessive and escapist in nature. My mother’s obsession is her passion for reading Romance novels, while mine is the repetition and labour-intensive quality of using domestic craft as a medium in my studio practice. For us, the escapism is two-fold: both can, and often do, serve as an escape from the struggles of daily life. At the same time, however, each medium allows time for reflection on life and the ability to process issues in a non-linear fashion. The following paper will explore the functions of the Romance Novel and domestic craft and will analyze various elements of both my art and other contemporary artists working in similar themes.