22 March 2010
Thinking of Wollstonecraft
Joanna Biggs · Quilts at the V&A
The Fawcett Society sells a T-shirt with the slogan 'This is what a feminist looks like' (here's Patrick Stewart in one) but what do feminists do these days? Among other things, bake cupcakes, upcycle furniture, knit and make quilts. So it's no surprise that the V&A's first exhibition of British quilts – which opened at the weekend – had their biggest pre-sale of tickets ever. It brings together quilts from three centuries, shown on beds and strung up on walls, sewn by soldiers and prisoners and YBAs. The museum has even brought back a series of Liberty quilting fabrics, to buy by the square and stitch together at home, thinking of Wollstonecraft.
Comments
'Women are all layers'. Most of the ones I know have a uterus. Still, handy for breakfast: they can produce it as well as cook it.
On the other hand, they might be onions rather than hens. The woman is just a great big onion. No centre, just peel her and see.
So that's what a feminist looks like. Thank you, Fawcett Society.