Craftivism : the role of feminism in craft activism

Abstract

This thesis project by Rachel Fry entitled Craftivism: The Role of Feminism in Craft Activism explores the intersection of feminism, fibre-art practice and activism through an investigation of craftivism. Craftivism is the coming together of craft and activism and focusing on this definition, this thesis uses the language of Third-wave feminist writing, Janet Wolff’s theories on the sociology of art, and the cultural theories of Michel de Certeau to explain how modern day craft practices relate to current understandings of feminism. Interviews with eight “cultural producers” of craftivism including artists, curators, activists, and theorists reveal the social intricacies related to craft practice. Their narrative guides the thesis through discussions of gender, race, class, age, and geographical location to explore how these pertain to everyday fibre-art production. This thesis also focuses on the reasons why craft as a gendered practice has an impact on the everyday experiences of women worldwide.