Sunday 13 April 2008

MOP HEAD - THE HISTORY BEHIND IT


As i'm still unable to do any new work, i thought i'd explain to you the history behind the picture of myself with the rollers.

This was from a series of 3 photographs that were used for my finishing degree show.


YOU CAN TAKE THE WIFE OUT OF THE HOUSE BUT YOU CAN'T TAKE THE HOUSEWIFE OUT OF THE WOMAN

This work is about the struggling identity of today's modern woman. It addresses issues of motherhood and the domestic scene. Women fought for equality, only for them to labour even harder, juggling full time work and domesticity. This work shows this strife for unachievable perfection.
My feelings as a wife, mother and grandmother conflict with the feelings of entrapment and being tied to the family life, even though I wouldn't want it any other way.


The first picture i came up with was this

This was using a mop head, with large rollers on a wig stand. This photo wasn't used in the end.
The rollers were used to signity the 196o's when women would walk around all daylong on a Saturday, with their rollers in, ready to look beautiful on their one night out. You would see women like this doing their shopping etc, and nobody would bat an eye lid. Can you imagine this happening now.

From this photo it evolved into me wearing the mop head and rollers, and here are the other two photos that went on display alongside


The first one obviously just wearing a mophead, and the second one, with a flower in to depict a bride

Also part of the exhibition were other photos again depicting the woman's struggle for perfection.
This time pearls and rollers were used on ordinary household objects.

DUSTPAN AND BRUSH WITH HAIR ROLLERS

ROLLING PIN WITH PEARL EMBEDDED
RENDERING IT USELESS




FULL SIZE SALT AND PEPPER POT
MADE INTO EAR RINGS WITH PEARLS ATTACHED


SUGAR TONGS AND SUGAR CUBE WITH PEARL EMBEDDED

Little did i know when using the pearls with my work, the REAL connotation behind the pearl necklace. It took the young students to explain it to me.
Oh well, the reason I USED THEM was because of the perfect housewife wearing her pearls and twinset. lol

Last but not least was a pair of oven gloves, sewn together in the middle, again rendering them useless.

HERE IS A POEM THAT I WROTE AT THE TIME, BUT IT WASN'T USED IN THE DEGREE SHOW.

DINNER'S ON THE TABLE by Margaret Field
Your dinner's on the table love. The pots and pans scrubbed clean.
The hoovering's done, the dusting too. Even the coalman's been.
Your dinner's on the table love. Washing and ironing done.
I've changed the beds, and scrubbed the floor, the battle of dirt's been won.
Your dinner's on the table love. The larder is now full.
I've painted the walls,and ceilings too, and picked the kids up from school.
Your dinner's on the table love. The windows and mirrors they shine.
The kids are bathed, scrubbed up like new, and the garden's looking just fine.
Your dinner's on the table love, I've spent all day on this grub.
My day is done for all of you.
And now I'm off to the pub.

NEXT I WILL SHOW YOU THE SECOND PART OF MY DEGREE SHOW INVOLVING AN EMBROIDERED TABLECLOTH.




13 comments:

Jinny Holt said...

Love the pics Margaret- it's just sooo you, you mad woman!
Looking forward to thursday evening-chill-relax and working the drinking reflex!! lmao

John Dyhouse said...

HEAVYYYYY !!!!

Maureen said...

Love it margaret and the poem is Great - should be published!! - maureen x

Unknown said...

You've made my day. Thank you and your work is fabulous!

Bel said...

Brilliant I love it, you crack me up. Belinda

Dot said...

I have always wondered what mop head stood for and now I know! You are a very clever and talented woman and I like your thought process behind this too.

GREAT poem!!

Angie said...

Love the poem and the pics Margaret, i bet thet mop head would look great dyed pink !

Sian said...

LOL, I like the mophead even more now I know what it's all about.

jafabrit said...

I really liked the pic of you with the rollers, I thought it a hilarious statement. So hearing the background on it was really interesting. I enjoyed also the background and reasoning for the show and each piece.
A gal after me own heart :) Very cool stuff.

JAMJARSUPERSTAR said...

Good yet hilarious statement. Particularly loved the salt and pepper earrings - bet they're a pain lol!
Ciao

scarletsculturegarden.blogspot.com
jamjarsuperstar.blogspot.com

My name is Cindy said...

Fantastic!! You are truly in a league of your own!! rofl

Leah said...

It's wonderful to read the story behind your avatar.

You have a great sense of humor and your art work is amazing!!

LeaKarts said...

Oh my gosh, you are hilARious!! The pearl necklace thing really cracked me up, and I just love the "rolling pin with a pearl embedded, rendering it useless." So poignant.