Kimono on display through May 31 in Flagstaff

The Kevlar® Kimono, in progress since fall of 2012, is now complete and will be on display in Flagstaff April 12 through May 31, 2014 at the Coconino Center for the Arts*.

This seven-foot tall silk and Kevlar sculptural garment, conceived in 1998 during the first wave of assault on women’s clinics, offers a metaphorical ‘safe space’ for a woman to make her own reproductive decisions, and is covered with over 250 unique collages featuring photographs of pro-choice women and men.

“Telling our stories robs power from those who try to control us with judgment and shame. By telling our stories, I believe we can change the conversation about reproductive choice.”

The Kevlar Kimono is dedicated to all the women and men working on the front lines of the fight to keep birth control available, and abortion safe and legal, so that women can make their own, very personal, reproductive choices.

Darcy Falk has been a textile artist for over 30 years. The Kevlar® Kimono and two of her stitched textile collages will be featured in the exhibit Local : Color at the Coconino Center for the Arts* from April 12 through May 31, 2014.

To see current artwork and read essays, visit darcyfalk.com.

*The Coconino Center for the Arts gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11am to 5 pm, and located at 2300 N. Fort Valley Rd., Flagstaff. The center’s phone number is 928-779-2300.