Lisa Cooreman

Rooted in my early life on a farm in Northwestern Indiana, my sewing practice and the tools I use become symbolic references for emotional repair and restoration. Thinking of my lineage, which spans generations deeply entrenched in manual labor—spinners, seamstresses, woodcutters, and farmers—I am reminded of the enduring connection between past and present.

My work explores the intricacies and interiorities of life, shedding light on the muted and gendered abandonment that is common in the lives of women everywhere. It’s been suggested that artists, whether consciously or not, weave a single narrative repeatedly into their practice. If this rings true, then perhaps mine retells the factors that erect  barriers to care and collective agency. These motifs move through my work, guiding me as I strive to convey messages of connection, resilience and empathy.

I intertwine historical threads into contemporary life, drawing from collected objects, anthropological artifacts, historic processes, and industrial materials. Through this amalgamation, I beckon viewers to explore their own emotional histories, creating a space for tender insights surfacing from both personal narratives and broader global contexts. Each stitch in my work offers access to collective resilience in confronting the daunting barriers surrounding gender equity and bodily autonomy.