Christine De Vuono
Care Packages

Care Packages is a series of textile installations that focus on elements of caregiving: caring for the sick and elderly; caring for those growing into new identities or life situations; and caring for each other in times of distress or loneliness. Sourcing materials from local thrift stores, I repurpose scrubs worn by caregivers, tablecloths and lace decorations, bedsheets, and pillowcases, to symbolize our universal need for care, safety, and intimacy. As cultural signifiers these second-hand textiles are meant to evoke the feminine, since the act of caregiving has been traditionally performed by women. Through my artwork I celebrate women of the past and the present, inviting all, regardless of gender, to embrace the labours that lead to a healthy and resilient society.