Pink Proposal Apron

Pink Proposal Apron 1983-4

56cm. X 76.5cm. 22in. X 30in.
BFK Rives
monoprint and variations

Solo Exhibitions
The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa, Ontario,1985, which travelled to Mount St. Vincent University Art Gallery, Halifax, Nova Scotia1986.
The Kingston Public Library1987
Unpaid Labour, The Art Gallery of Burlington 2015

Notes
The embroidery on this apron depicts an elegant courtship couple. The arborite surface was inked in pink ink. The embroidery left a very light impression in the ink. It was necessary to emphasize the stitching with coloured pencil. The blue areas of the arms were added from inked card and printed through small stencil openings. The dark background was added later from inked card printed around a block out stencil.

This apron is arranged to express dissatisfaction with the hidden agenda in marriage proposals.
It was taken for granted that a wife would bear children, provide their care and training, and do all of the necessary housework without payment. The government benefits from each generation of citizens and the housewife/mother has no income or pension from her labour.