I started engaging with embroidery in 2020 when I was furloughed and there was no possibility of finding another job. I had acquired some kits in the past and decided to add my own flair to them, specifically words and phrases I imagined would never be considered appropriate. I found comfort and excitement in figuring how to make the thread do what I wanted it to do.

“Pretty emotional” became a keystone phrase for me the following year. It was how I was described by a man in a position of authority as justification for why I should not be taken seriously. I processed that fury by creating the biggest piece I had made to date, stabbing the fabric thousands of times to make something beautiful out of the gobshite. Today, I embroider words said to or about me as well as those said to or about others. Any phrase that is dismissive, insulting, or just downright unbelievable, or what would be an appropriate response, is considered.

I am fascinated by embroidery as an art form, in many ways because it is traditionally downgraded to a craft, a common fate for art historically created by women. I love the idea of combining a practice that is delicate and thoughtful and associated with women sitting quietly with the invalidating nonsense said to me or anyone else. I like to think that, in many ways, I am saying what millions of women for centuries have been thinking while they silently worked.

About the artist