This fall, students in Dr. Kim Bowers’ new English seminar, (En)gendered Violence, transformed their study of literature, theory, and current events into a powerful public art project. Through collaborative artwork, students explored the systems of sexism, racism, and power that enable gendered violence. The result is The Color of Healing and Stitched, quilt and mannequin installations that embody both reflection and activism.

The project draws from the novels The Color Purple and Black and Blue, as well as feminist theory by bell hooks and Jackson Katz. The students explain, “Through these texts, we’ve come to understand how systems of abuse manifest in historical and contemporary society,” noting that their work seeks to both raise awareness about domestic violence and highlight the role of literature, theory, and art in combating systemic injustice.

The centerpiece of the project is a mannequin dressed in a tank top, commonly and disturbingly called a “wife-beater,” and pants adorned with student-created patches. The students describe: “The act of sewing represents reclaiming autonomy and the breaking of gender boundaries,” noting that each patch draws from theory, literature, and personal reflection to illustrate societal systems that perpetuate violence.

“Collectively, we stitch back together the pieces of identity that have been exploited through gendered violence,” they write, turning individual acts of creation into a statement of communal resilience.

A complementary quilt invites viewers to engage with theory, literature, and real-world events. The bottom left square introduces theory through a visual timeline that “illustrates both changing gender roles and the subsequent domestic violence,” with torn paper symbolizing how small aggressions compound to affect society.

Another square draws from The Color Purple, emphasizing Celie’s growth and resistance through clothing. “Celie begins to express herself through sewing, creating pants first for herself... She expands this passion, sewing pants for her loved ones, and then for her own company,” the students describe, highlighting how creative expression can be a pathway to empowerment. The quilt also addresses contemporary issues, focusing on the Jeffrey Epstein case. Images, news articles, and poetry highlight how wealth and power shield perpetrators from accountability. “Ultimately, this section of the quilt challenges viewers to confront efforts to protect Epstein’s friends and associates,” the students write, urging the public to demand justice.

Finally, an interactive element inspired by Celie’s letters provides resources for domestic abuse support. The students note that their goal was “to provide our community with something they can physically take away from our piece... something for those who want to learn more about domestic violence on a broader scale.”

And this project will have a wider impact too. The mannequin’s pants will be auctioned off at LWHS' 2nd annual Miranda Lux Artfest this Friday, December 5th. Meanwhile, Dr. Bowers is submitting photos of the quilt to Our Bodies, Our Quilt, an initiative of Our Bodies, Ourselves that is building a national, community quilt focused on issues of bodily autonomy. The student work will inspire quilting squares that will be incorporated into this larger collective effort—ensuring that their voices on gendered violence join a broader national conversation about justice, healing, and resistance.

Together, the project demonstrates how literature, theory, and art can intersect to illuminate social issues and inspire action. We are proud of how these students transformed classroom learning into a public call for reflection, awareness, and change.

Read the full artist statements by students in the class here: C Block | D Block