The Universal Declaration of Human Rights Quilt Project - or #UDHRquiltProject is a global collaborative craftivism project that involves 131 artists representing 45 different nationalities.
At a time when the patchwork of liberties is fraying, craftivism is a global movement that combines craft and activism into quietly powerful protest to call for social and political change. Craftivism allows people to actively engage in democracy, contribute to social change, and transform the world one stitch at a time. Driven by the power of craft and social media to tell stories the UDHR Quilt Project looks to start complex conversations about human rights issues in the world today.
In early 2017, aided by the power of social media, project coordinators Stephanie Dunlap (Phoenix, USA) and Tal Fitzpatrick (Melbourne, Australia) put out a call out for collaborators. Within 3 days they had 131 craftivists from across the globe sign up to stitch one of the article of the UDHR.
Through the creation of the four 200cm x200cm UDHR quilts, each embroidered with the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, this project draws attention to the way human rights are challenged around the world today. Each artist found ways to sew messages into their quilt block that would inspire audiences to think, engage and reflect on how they might take action to defend human rights.
This project culminated in the donation of $26,200AUD to UNHCR in February 2020 made on behalf of the 131 artists who participated in this project. All four of the UDHR Quilts are now part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Australian Democracy, at Old Parliament House Canberra, Australia.
THE #UDHR QUILT PROJECT EXHIBITION AT MOAD
The UDHR Quilt Project exhibition was launched at the Museum of Australian Democracy, at Old Parliament House, Canberra as part of the official United Nations Day event on the 24 October 2018. The exhibition continued until the March 10, 2021.
The UDHR Quilt Project exhibition moved beyond a traditional museum experience by inviting visitors to get involved. Visitors could immerse themselves in craftivism by participating in a range of hands-on craft activities, workshops and community-based events. Tal Fitzpatrick facilitated several special events throughout the exhibition including workshops and discussions on the everyday practice of democracy through craft.
The UDHR Quilts were also featured during the 2019 Canberra Enlighten festival, during which they were animated and 3D projected onto the outside of MOAD for the duration of the festival (as pictured above).
UDHR QUILT PROJECT ARTISTS
The artists involved in this project - listed below - are spread across the globe and represent many different cultures and nationalities, including: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bosnia , Brazil (including descendent of First Nations Peoples), Canada (including descendent of First Nations Peoples - Ojibwe), Catalan, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Dutch/Netherlands, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungry, Ireland (and northern Ireland), Israel, India, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Macedonia, Mexica, New Zealand (including descendent of First Nations Peoples - Pākehā), Norway, Palestine, Poland, Prussia, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Venezuela, Wales.
Selection of panels from the UDHR Quilts
ABOUT THE LEAD ARTISTS
The UDHR Quilt project was led by Stephanie Dunlap and Tal Fitzpatrick.
Stephanie Dunlap (@illuminatembroidery) is a multidisciplinary artist, student, and activist from Phoenix, Arizona who creates under the moniker illuminate. They work individually and communally to create accessible art that engages with the global community on an individual level. While varied, their larger body of work delves into themes of pattern recognition, intersectionality, and self-efficacy as a way of understanding and emphasizing an individual’s vital role in our global community.
Contact: udhrquilts@gmail.com
Image credits: Rob Little Digital Images (RLDI), Canberra | Stefan Postles - Chalk Studio, Melbourne