Outsourced‍ ‍

Adorned shows the generative side of emotional labor, focusing on the ways care can become beauty, connection, and self-making. Through layered fiber, stitching, and surface detail, the work reflects on the forms of attention and affection women often extend to others, and the ways those gestures can also shape their own identities.

1 Anonymous

My husband and I bought a house in Oregon in 2020 that we were planning would be where we retied. After four years, I couldn't take the dark Oregon winters anymore. My husband loved Oregon, had a lot of good friends, but he just said, "Where do you want to go?" We found a place in New Mexico, and moved. It was hard to move again, he doesn't like the desert, but it's done now, and the Oregon home is sold. So the picture of a "moving" house represents the working together through tough times and letting that go and moving on to a new life.

2 Leslie O'Leary

"I shall make everything around beautiful, and that will be my life." Elsie de WolfeAfter many years of life challenges—deaths, and divorce, I decided my life would change and I would decide what would be my life.

3 Nadia Yukhanova

Inside there are two guitar picks which belong to my sons. I want to protect my sons.

4 Anonymous

Love and friendshipFriendship and love that surpass divorce. Mother-in-law was always loving, compassionate and considerate. Even after divorce, she and I contineud caring for each other until she passed.

5 Anonymous

Inside is a piece of seaglass, once part of clear bottle. Now it's sharp edges are softened and aged similar to people in that often age and soften through the years.

6 Gracie Coleman

"Butterfly" ... symbol of freedon, representation of spirit of lost loved one (nephew)

7 Elena Morera

A doll maker gave me a doll jewelry. She is no longer with us so I have good memories of her and her doll making.

8 Amy Kalu

An affirmation for the goodness of the soul.

9 Gayle Griffith

Hankie given to me by my grandmother that belonged to my great-grandmother.