Sheryl Lyn Green Kinney
"Connections"
 (Photo by Tom Caroll) |
 (Photo by Tom Caroll) |
|
(Photo by Charles Fyer) |
Creating this mantle was an emotional journey of my gratitude to salute both my female relatives and my women friends.
The
exterior design is a tangible representation of the connection between my
present day self and my female ancestors. The pieced individual layers of
color and texture of hand dyed and novelty fabrics jointed together by the
non-paralleled seams, antique and new beads, couched yarns and ribbons,
and the loving crochet trim made by my grandmother, all serve to unite the
women of my past. These components represent the many personalities, since
the beginning of time, of the daughters, mothers, grandmothers,
great-grandmothers, sisters, and aunts whose genetic traits have been
passed down to help define me as I am today.
The interior is variegated hand-dyed silk to represent the sisterhood bond of friendship. The lining is inscribed with the names of women I have had the privilege to know and call friends. They all have contributed to my life through their friendship, support, and love.
This mantle honors all these women of such strong presence and grace from my past and present.