Feminist Elina Chauvet's Red Thread Weaves Reflections on Domestic Labor and Violence
“In Corazón al Hilo, Chauvet once again challenges the meaning of the object by intervening with red thread—this time, not on dresses but on handmade domestic textiles” Lorena Ramos of Galería 1204 tells art currently as she alongside founder of MAD54 Aida Valdez open the acclaimed feminist artist Elina Chauvet’s first solo exhibition in New York between 23 - 29 March, at 102 Franklin St. #2 in Tribeca. Expressions like “solo sirves para servir” and “¿Cansada de qué? ¡Si no trabajas?” are embroidered with red thread across framed cloths throughout the pop-up space; a poignant nod to the critical commentary on the complexity of a woman’s experiences in the face of societal pressures and violence—issues Chauvet has been exploring throughout her career. A clap back to patriarchal expectations, this show is the epitome of calling out the antiquated narratives that seek to define women’s worth based on their roles as caregivers and workers.
A feminist first, Chauvet’s work is inspired by the 1950s and 1960s, drawing on the contrast between the love housewives were expected to pour into their homes and the abuse they often faced. She is also well-known for her powerful use of the color red in her art, a color that symbolizes both love and death. One of her most famous works, Zapatos Rojos, began as a protest in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, in 2009 against gender-based violence that later traveled worldwide. In discussing the strong use of the color red, Aida says, “Elina talks about the duality in the meaning of the color red. It symbolizes the blood of women—an ever-present element in our lives, tied to cycles of fertility, birth, and the physical realities of the body. This connection to blood is both natural and inevitable, something we experience whether we embrace it or not. At the same time, red also represents bloodshed—the result of violence inflicted on women, whether through domestic abuse, systemic oppression, or broader societal conflicts. It speaks to both personal and collective suffering, a reminder of wounds that are too often silenced or dismissed.”
In Corazón al Hilo, Chauvet presents her latest work—a series of embroidered textiles inspired by her collaboration with Maria Grazia Chiuri—alongside her poignant performance piece Confianza, a tribute to Italian artist Pippa Bacca, who was tragically murdered in 2008 as a victim of femicide. The performance features Chauvet embroidering a wedding gown with various definitions of trust, inviting visitors to reflect on and write down "what trust means to you." This interactive element was part of the opening reception, where crowds gathered to share their personal definitions of trust while Chauvet, surrounded by the silk gown, worked to add people’s responses to the piece using her signature red thread; interrogating the strength found in reclaiming one’s voice.
Speaking on the driving force towards her work, the artist says “I believe in the power of art to drive social change and hold hope for a society rooted in equity and free from violence.”
Corazón al Hilo, the pop up show curated by MAD54 and Galería 1204 on view until March 29. The curators say “We hope that through this exhibition, visitors will challenge themselves to reflect on the power of language and how its use can impact others, while also reconsidering the immense labor involved in domestic work. Additionally, we aim to underscore the importance of continuing to speak out against violence toward women.”
