Portraits of Demolished Houses

In my new series of companion pieces to the Quilting Urban Renewal project, I explore the profound human cost of urban renewal by telling the stories of specific families and their lost homes. Using applique and embroidery, I create fabric silhouette portraits of these houses. Each piece is a silent monument, weaving together the unique history of the house, the lives of its inhabitants, and the painful narrative of its demolition. This work serves as a tactile and intimate memorial, preserving the memory of what was lost to progress.

Each piece is informed by historical documents, including archival photographs taken during the house’s appraisal pre-demolition and signatures on legal documents detailing the government sale, often for far less than the house’s value.