Category Archives: Embroidery &Mixed Media Art

Red Umbrella Embroidery project: Fight for the rights of Sex Workers!!

I got these beautiful domed antique brass frames, made in Germany, last Fall.

I found them on German eBay. I got a half dozen of them, they are tiny and very lovely, and I wanted to do something special with them.

I decided to embroider the Red Umbrella, which is the international symbol of solidarity with sex workers. The one below is in the Black Trans Flag colors, as well as the rainbow for Pride- I used superfine holographic thread and hundreds and hundreds of stitches.

Black leadership tells us to center the most marginalized.

To listen to what sex workers tell us they need, and work to help them get it.

Protect Black Trans Sex Workers embroidery with holographic thread by Suzanne Forbes June 2020Maybe someday every home will have the symbol of solidarity with sex workers.

Maybe someday every home will declare itself a safe space for the most vulnerable people in society, the people who have to work to live and yet are never given the protections of workers.

I have known and loved sex workers since I was a teen; I learn more all the time about how to listen to what they are telling me they need.

The most urgent need for sex workers all over the world is the Decriminalization of Sex Work. Not the Nordic Model, not legalization and government regulation – Decrim.red umbrella embroidery by Suzanne Forbes June 2020

Decriminalize sex work NOW.

Here are some of the reasons why sex workers tell us that Decrim is the model they want.

Here is an extremely useful article on how to make sex workers’ lives easier.

Read “Revolting Prostitutes: The fight for Sex Workers’ Rights”.

Now more than ever, when so many sworkers can’t work because of COVID-19 yet are excluded from government support in most countries, donate to sex workers’ aid funds.

People need money to live. This is our German fund for workers who aren’t getting government aid. Orgs like The Black Trans Travel Fund and The Okra Project help BPOC trans people get basic needs like food and transport met.

SEX WORKER RIGHTS ARE LABOR RIGHTS. SEX WORKER RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS. 

You can hold up a red umbrella.

 

 

Sacred Heart, again, because we need faith and compassion more than ever.

Sacred Heart with angelina fantasy film by Suzanne Forbes June 2020I made another Sacred Heart.

For me the Sacred Heart symbolizes our burning, blazing love for each other, our ability to keep going with love and find faith at the darkest times.

Sacred Heart with angelina fantasy film by Suzanne Forbes June 2020This one really lights up!

As a person with no religious education beyond the Narnia books, I don’t actually know what the Heart Afire means to people raised in churches.

Sacred Heart with angelina fantasy film by Suzanne Forbes June 2020To me it’s a companion to the Phoenix, a representation of the flame of compassion and faith that burns in our hearts.

(little peek of my Phoenix tattoo in this shot!)

Sacred Heart with angelina fantasy film by Suzanne Forbes June 2020 insideThis Sacred Heart is Made of Angelina Fantasy Film and UV resin, mostly.

Plus holographic vinyl, iridescent vinyl, opal fimo, translucent fimo, microbeads, micro glitter, hex glitter, oilslick pvc. and some ribbon I’ve had since 1995. Sacred Heart with angelina fantasy film by Suzanne Forbes June 2020 detail

This piece is part of a whole wild road I am going down with Angelina fantasy film and uv resin.

One of the earliest projects here; how to google Angelina Fantasy Film here. I have been making SUCH beautiful things! More about them next month.

Sacred heart from March.

Hearts Afire shadowbox

Hearts Afire embroidery