Working Families
Whenever I hear or read the current popular political phrase ‘working families’ it rankles. What is this phrase saying… who is it excluding? The catchphrase contains an inherent devaluation of unpaid domestic labour (love) the role of the carers of children, the disabled, mentally ill and elderly and the retired and volunteers. This issue is reinforced in the current climate by the absurd battle for paid maternity leave. The lack of six months paid maternity leave reduces breastfeeding rates in Australia. This phenomenon is linked with the rise of diabetes and obesity rates in the community.
Wreath
A strong feature of the site is the wreaths laid at the base of the monument. Some of the wreaths are handmade, with leave from home gardens and handwritten notes on cards and ribbon, others are more formal arranged by a florist with the commissioners business card attached. The botanic material wilting, then decaying on the foam supports.
I decided to make a commemorative wreath for working families with an emphasis on things or pastimes that there is often no longer time for in our present busy lifestyles. Focusing on the lack of time available today for domestic activities such as; knitting and handicrafts, relationships, reading storybooks, cooking and hobbies.
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