Colored by Today

These series of banners are based on notes exchanged between two teenage friends. The meticulous process of hand embroidery onto enlarged notebook pages magnifies the enduring impact of these casual interactions.

Highlighting of specific phrases serve as a tribute to the impressions that remain etched in my mind. Each hour spent sewing is an act of meditation and preservation of these words while reflecting on the covert forces that have guided my choices and shaped my perceptions of the world.

The large-scale documents move gently while the viewer walks through the installation, accompanied by ambient sounds recorded in institutions such as courtrooms, churches and schools. The sounds underscore the social framework in which we exist while the stitched words point to transformation. Colored by Today is an intricate interplay of time, memory and the power of words.

© Gracie Hagen 2022-2023