“Rest in peace, Rodney Levi” 2020


    







“Rest in peace, Rodney Levi” 2020



9 X 12 Inches

This work was heavily influenced by Black feminist ideology stemming from The BLM movement and the actions and writings of Angela Yvonne Davis and Robyn Maynard on abolition.

Gawiei/ Porcupine quillwork (Embroidery) On paper. 




On June 12th, 2020, Rodney Levi was shot twice in the chest by an RCMP officer during a wellness check-in Red Bank NB. This quillwork on paper was started in a state of grief, confusion, deep hurt and sadness.




This three-part series reads as follows: FUCK THE POLICE, DEFUND THE POLICE and REFUND THE COMMUNITIES.



The work has been created with the use of traditional materials of porcupine quills done as embroidery. It was done to give tribute, stay true to my heritage, and do something internal during a moment(s) of pain. Craft-work such as this takes considerable time, which lends itself to meditative thought, space to heal, and clarity. 


The process of quilling is a radical gesture and an act of decolonization.

The work addresses grief stages felt by those who have lost loved ones due to police brutality/ senseless violence. These antagonistic prompts open up space to question structures of authority within our society.



Documentation of images 1, 2, 3 by Erik Sirke 4, 5, 6 by Megan Conley