A Community of Non-Citizens: Proving Worth of Citizenship through Stitching Samplers (A Work in Progress)
Entry/Object ID
2017.11a
Description
A stitched American flag in the shape of the United States with five blue stars.
Artwork Details
Medium
Linen, embroidery floss
Context
US Citizenship Test Sampler is an ongoing project which has the artist collaborating with others who live in the United States but are not citizens. Sifuentes hosts workshops for immigrants who are interested in becoming citizens and helps them study for the naturalization test by sewing the questions and answers. The sampler form recalls Colonial America and the stitching young girls and women would do to demonstrate obedience, skill, and accomplishment to attract future suitors.
Sifuentes intends for the sampler workshops to organically generate dialogue amongst the participants, with discussions touching on immigrant rights, labor politics, and everyday issues. The artist is interested in the idea of creating a living archive of the participants and their experiences while connecting them with resources. The works created in US Citizenship Test Sampler are available for sale at the same cost of applying for naturalization. Proceeds are shared with the artist’s non-citizen collaborators.
Acquisition
Accession
2017.11
Source or Donor
Han Sifuentes, Aram
Acquisition Method
Purchase
Credit Line
Collection of DePaul Art Museum, Art Acquisition Endowment Fund, Courtesy of the artist
