U.S. CITIZENSHIP TEST SAMPLERS
2012 - ONGOING
Photos:
Jayson Cheung
Kanthy Peng
Bun Stout
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This program is partially supported by:
2015 Puffin Foundation Grant
2015 DCASE Creative Project Grant
The Illinois Arts Council Agency
A COMMUNITY OF NON-CITIZENS:
PROVING WORTH OF CITIZENSHIP THROUGH STITCHING SAMPLERS
Needlework samplers and their discursive space inform my project US Citizenship Test Sampler, which addresses the socio-historic role of women and the function of non-citizen communities. Sewn samplers were used in Colonial America to teach young children needlework and the alphabet. I am currently hand-sewing the 100 civic study questions and answers of the US Naturalization Test. I will subsequently sell the completed work for $845—the cost of applying for naturalization. This action is motivated by the history of educated adolescent women embroidering decorative pictorial samplers that functioned as signifiers of worth to potential suitors. My citizenship is thus contingent to the sale of the work. Additionally, other non-US citizens can contribute to the pool of samplers, both augmenting the project and building a community. I use samplers to engage with the social and collective nature of needlework’s history, as well as to exhibit the value of non-citizen communities. ​
All samplers are now on sale for $845 and the full amount goes to the maker of the sold sampler. Unavailable samplers are listed as sold. If you are interested in participating in this project or purchasing a sampler, please contact.
U.S. CITIZENSHIP TEST SAMPLER WORKSHOPS
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2021
Mural Arts Philadelphia l Philadelphia, PA USA
2018
Museum of Fine Arts l Boston, MA USA
2017
The Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience l Seattle, WA USA
Smart Museum of Art, University of Chicago l Chicago USA
Jane Addams Hull-House Museum l Chicago USA
2016
Elmhurst Art Museum l Elmhurst, IL USA
Jane Addams Hull-House Museum l Chicago USA
Pulaski International School of Chicago l Chicago USA
Rodolfo Lozano Bilingual and International Center Elementary School l Chicago USA
Benito Juarez Community Academy l Chicago USA
Korean Community Center of the East Bay l San Leandro, CA USA
2015
Chicago Humanities Festival l Chicago USA
Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art & Portraiture l Washington DC USA
Rodolfo Lozano Bilingual and International Center Elementary School l Chicago USA
Center for Craft, Creativity, and Design l Asheville, NC USA
























