Maria Teresa Mirabal (FRAMED)

Maria Teresa Mirabal by Elizabeth Schafer

Elizabeth Schafer created these stunning yarn wall sculptures as an exclusive series, titled The Butterflies. Elizabeth names her work after women who have made an impact on her or on society. These bold pieces are named after Minerva, Patria, and Maria Teresa Mirabal, who were political activists and heroines in Dominic Republic during Trujillo’s regime. These women are massive symbols today for human and woman’s rights and known as The Butterflies in underground circles. These whimsical yet powerful yarn pieces deliver a memorable punch in their honor.

Elizabeth Schafer's Artist Statement:

My entire body of work is made up of sculptures and installations that are in constant conversation with each other. Their dialogue is comprised of vibrant hues and varying levels of relief. Each work has its own distinct narrative, its own identity, but together they form a cohesive whole. The yarn that I use to wrap the sculptures acts as a tactile material. The yarn is taken out of its well-known category of being a “crafty” material, and takes the place of paint. Yarn is usually seen as a feminine domestic material, based on connotations with textile crafts. I appropriate yarn from this context by allowing it to take precedence in the work. The color that I wrap my sculptures with is not arbitrary. Color is a crucial part to the interactive quality of my work. Colors evoke feelings and emotions in people when they see them. I want to give my audience a stimulating experience through the colors I employ, which are almost fluorescent.