Hunkertime 1980

"Hunkertime" by Harmony Hammond presents us with several ladder-like structures, padded and wrapped in various textiles. Hammond came of age during a time of significant cultural shifts and activism, particularly regarding civil rights, feminism, and LGBTQ+ rights, all of which shaped her artistic vision. These ladders invite questions about access, visibility, and the roles assigned to us. The soft, padded materials contrast with the hard, functional image of a ladder, suggesting a softening or queering of traditionally masculine forms. Hammond, a lesbian feminist artist, has often explored themes of gender, sexuality, and identity in her work, challenging conventional notions of femininity and domesticity. As she once said, "I was interested in a feminist art that would be about women’s experience." The use of fiber and fabric, materials often associated with craft and domestic labor, elevates them to the realm of high art, challenging hierarchical distinctions. These objects evoke both fragility and strength.