by Tilly Du Buisson
Rova Editions
February 2025
This book explores whether feminist artists can reclaim needlework, historically linked to women's oppression, as a tool for empowerment.
By tracing the historical shift of needlework from a male-dominated craft to a feminised domestic practice, it highlights how this art became undervalued. Drawing on feminist theorists like Simone de Beauvoir, Judith Butler, and Amelia Jones, the essay examines how artists such as Tracey Emin and Louise Bourgeois use needlework to challenge traditional gender norms, blending feminine practices with symbols of strength.
It discusses the complex nature of reclaiming practices that were once oppressive, considering whether engaging in needlework today perpetuates or transforms gender stereotypes. Ultimately, it argues that needlework, as a subversive medium, can be a space for resistance and connection, offering a platform to address broader issues like labour conditions and gender fluidity.