Making Work Visible

My painting represents the personal plight of someone very important in my life: my late grandmother. After arriving in this country, she found a factory job where she sewed ties for hours upon hours each day. My grandmother worked unreasonably long days, yet was allowed only one bathroom break per shift. Even when she took this ‘break,’ the personnel in charge closely monitored her and the other factory workers. Consequently, workers were forced to concentrate on the same task without a mental or physical recess. I attempted to capture the tired, yet focused face that I imagined my grandmother to bear. I placed her within a monotone, dark environment; an environment where the most important entity is the product that you produce. I hope this work begins to shed a light on the unrealistic expectations, extensive work hours, and unsafe conditions that men, women, and even children have been faced with while laboring. Placing most details in the face highlights that the human behind the fancy tie has a story too. Such people, including my grandmother, worked so tirelessly, and made grand sacrifices for the betterment of our families and society. I hope that this painting begins to show my gratitude.