This work is the first in the ‘What they said‘ series. The phrase has been a guiding principle since I heard it about three decades ago. I’ve stitched it and created mini folding cards, to share short notes about normal.
Normal is just a cycle on your washing machine
I wrote an honours thesis as part of a Bachelor of Science in Human Geography. It was about the spatial and socio-economic distribution of suicide in New South Wales, focusing on youth. Around this time, I went to a Suicide Prevention Australia conference. A woman stood up at the end of a focus session on associated rural and LGBTIQ+ issues. She introduced herself as a lesbian with schizophrenia who grew up in rural NSW. Describing how, in so many environments, she didn’t fit in because of one aspect of her introduction. That, normal, is just a cycle on your washing machine. I wrote down that last line she spoke. Since then, when I hear descriptions of people in terms of being or not being normal, I hear this.
Creation Process
It has been a long time since I stitched a work like this. Unlike many of my works, I drew some concepts beforehand. I became so focused on the pattern that I incorporated a spelling error. I didn’t pick that up until it was stitched, and then I had to unpick it. Also, unlike most other works, this one doesn’t have much cross-stitch and is mostly backstitch.
The stitching started with NORMAL, then the centre text “Just a washing machine cycle.” The washing machine was then stitched. I tried several ideas for the buttons and thought about how to represent them. In the end, I settled for simple cross-stitching.
Exhibition History
The original artwork can be viewed when I open my studio.
Artist artwork statement
About three decades ago, I went to a focus session on rural and LGBTIQ+ issues at a suicide prevention conference. An audience member said this quote at the end of the session. She introduced herself as a lesbian with schizophrenia who grew up in rural NSW.
Normal. It is just a washing machine cycle.
How to experience the artwork Normal in your life!
If you’re interested in the original please contact Kate. The below can be bought online and at an open studio. Write a check-in to someone or use these as a team sharing activity.
Key artwork information
- First work in ‘What they said‘ Series
- White 14 count Aida
- Stitching (and unpicking) time of approximately 8 hours
- Completed in under a week
- There were 6 colours of stranded cotton used
- The final size is 75mm wide x 100mm high
- Completed in September 2024
- The original is available to buy.