Merill Comeau
Women’s Work Is Never Done, 2019
painted vintage linens and deconstructed clothing, hand stitching of various methods of manipulating fabric historically used in clothing construction 16' x 14'
In my practice, I deconstruct and reconstruct clothing undoing another woman’s work and think about socioeconomics of maker/wearer and textile industry. In this installation, I used black painted fabric as I taught myself methods of fabric manipulation employed in garment construction to pay homage to the skills and craft of dressmakers. It is challenged learning, evidenced by my clumsy products, and labeled with tongue in cheek puns referring to the method and my emotions such as ‘I’m ruffled” for ruffles and “I’m boxed in” for a boxed pleat
Merill Comeau
I Cry at the Joyous Parts and I Cry at the Sad Parts, 2019
garments, painted and printed repurposed fabrics, composted toile, commercial fabrics, sequins, hand and machine stitching 214h x 48w x 30d
This piece was created for the Fuller Craft Museum's exhibition Human Impact: Stories of the Opioid Epidemic. The ballgown at the bottom represents the seductive drug, the overalls the hard work of treatment, and the bikini the baring of yourself in all you naked glory as part of the honesty needed in the treatment process. The patchwork surrounding the garments reflects the process by which people lose their sense of colors as they become addicted and gain back senses of pleasure and the ability to see color again when they complete treatment.
Merill Comeau
Red, White, and Blue, 2019
Rust dyed vintage linens, hand painted and block printed recycled fabric, composted toile, deconstructed clothing, hand stitched and embroidered. 106"w x 92"h
Merill Comeau
Family of Origin, 2017
composted toile, dyed and painted fabrics, deconstructed clothing, shirts of artist's deceased mother, various embellishments, hand stitching 77”h x 93”w x 73”d
Merill Comeau
Detail Family of Origin – Cockcrowing, 2017
composted toile, indigo dyed fabrics, painted and printed fabrics, hand stitching 77”h x 81”w
Merill Comeau
Detail Family of Origin- Foundational Garments, ongoing
shirts of artist's deceased mother, paint, sticks, weights, ink, hair, rust, grommets, lacing, thread etc 67”h x 38”w x 36”d
Merill Comeau
Detail of Foundational Garment, Straight Laced, 2017
Shirt of decease mother, paint pen, painted laces, grommets, wooden hanger, oaktag label 36"h x 28"w x 12"d
Merill Comeau
Art History 101, ongoing
Discarded university slide library, yarn, insect pins 16'w x 5'h
Merill Comeau
Black and Blue, 2017
mixed media drawing/painting, painted floor cloth, embroidered chair cover 96”h x 114”w x 52”d
Merill Comeau
Sins of the Mother Rest Heavily, 2014
composted toile, painted and printed fabrics, deconstructed clothing, machine and hand stitching 60"w x 52"h
