Layers of Meaning

Embroidered Comic Book Samplers

Embroidered Comic Book Samplers by Mark Newport,art professor at Arizona State University, poke fun at both male and female stereotypes. Newport's recent show at the Greg Kucera Gallery utilized comic book cover as a theme, examining the silliness of the macho hero stereotype. Newport begins with a literal translation of the "found comic book cover"; select areas of the cover are then enriched with heavily textural knotted needlework. Earlier work by the artist includes beaded football trading cards and beaded Desert Storm trading cards.
Part of the irony is the juxtaposition of pubescent-boy iconography with a traditional woman's handicraft. It reeks of pop art, Andy Warhol and soup cans. The images are in-your-face, but why not? It's a big breath of fresh air after the traditional saccharine floral embroideries.
image: Sampler: Batman Poster Child For Crime, 2003 by Mark Newport