Durham 
Art Gallery

“The ordinary arts we practice everyday at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest.” -Thomas Moore, Irish poet.

 

This exhibition brings together three distinct artists, Susan Lindsay, Heather Murray and Dyan Jones, as they explore the clothesline as a point of convergence between domesticity and civil disobedience. 

 

From political bans to aesthetic symbolism and environmental responsibility, each artist approaches the subversive power of the humble clothesline through their own creative processes to present a visual dialogue that brings the outdoors into the gallery.

 

The clothesline brings beauty and movement to the landscape. An art form of the commonplace, it is an endearing symbol of everyday life which can evoke sensory connections and rooted emotional memories. There is a simple humility to the clothesline yet the aspects of form and function can raise it to a loftier consideration. This gentle trademark of home claims other distinctions. Quilts hung on a wash line were a subtle communicator of the Underground Railroad, signaling the way to freedom through the displayed quilt design symbolism.

 

It is well documented that wash line users are reducing electricity use, greenhouse gas emissions and prolonging the life of clothing. Each household can reduce their carbon footprint by one half tone per year, saving 900 kWh hours of electricity by utilizing free wind and solar energy.

 

Clotheslines inspire global citizenship and responsible living. While pro-clothesline advocates champion these environmental benefits there are those who oppose laundry lines as an aesthetic affront especially to the urban landscape. Whereas some municipal jurisdictions juggle with these two conflicting arguments, bans on clotheslines continue to be put into place or withdrawn according to government whim. 

Who knew that such simple practical domesticity could be considered subversive? There is an international group, The Right to Dry which advocates for the use of clotheslines, endorsed by Dr. David Suzuki.

 

- Dyan Jones, Curator