Contribute to this Collaborative Artwork by mailing me your sewn together facial tissues representing your grief and loss. Read on for directions:
Description:
The Colors of Grief: (un)Locked in Amber Waiting is a collaborative artwork that will be a part of my upcoming solo exhibition at the Pablo Center at the Confluence in Eau Claire, Wisconsin: August 1 - October 12, 2025.
The centerpiece for this artwork is a tissue cast in amber colored resin resting on a pedestal like a sacred reliquary. The sewn lines of grief tissues will be arranged in a nest-like shape below this centerpiece representing a gathering of collective grief.
It is my hope that everyone who participates knows that I am deeply honored to be trusted with this representation of your grief. Thank you.
Directions for Sewing & Participating:
Use facial tissues (any brand or size, aka Kleenex, Puffs, etc)
Use thread color(s) that represent the color of your grief.
Thread can be sewing machine thread, hand sewing and/or embroidery thread depending on your process.
Sew tissues together short end to short end to form a line of tissues. Sew as many as you want to sew together.
How many to sew together? The number of tissues or the number of stitches might represent something personal for you. For example, maybe the number of tissues you sew together mirrors the number of years since your loss.
Stitching: you can stitch by hand or use a sewing machine. The stitch can be a standard straight stitch or it can be another stitch that resonates with your grief. You can also stitch words.
- OPTIONAL: include a brief note with your name and email so that I might contact you as the piece progresses.
Mail your completed lines of grief to me any time through October 3, 2025 for inclusion in this exhibition.
Rhonda Willers
c/o Willers Art Studio
PO Box 9
Elk Mound, WI 54739
Sewing Circles via Zoom
Interested in a collaborative sewing experience to contribute to this project? Register for one or more of the free community sewing circles that I'll be hosting via zoom below.
Tuesday, April 15, 2025: noon-1pm US Central (register here)
Wednesday, May 14, 2025: noon-1pm US Central (register here)
Sunday, June 1, 2025: noon-1pm US Central (register here)
Recommended Supplies for Sewing Circle:
1. Facial tissues (Puffs, Kleenex, etc)
2. Thread: style and color of your choosing
3. Sewing Machine or Hand Stitching Supplies (sewing needle, stitching hoop)
4. Your memories, presence, and time.
Visit the final installation during the Transformations Exhibition at the Pablo Center:
Learn more about planning a visit to the exhibition here