Threads of Resistance

A couple of weeks ago I saw a new call for art from a group of quilt artists I've followed for a long time - The Artist Circle.  The exhibition title is Threads of Resistance.  They are asking for works created to protest the actions and policies of the Trump administration.  The juried show will open at the New England Quilt Museum in Julyand move on from there to venues across the country.

Over the last several years, creating art has often provided me with an outlet for coping with difficult situations.  This new show gives me a reason to put all my worries and anxieties about the current political situation into another artwork rather than an ulcer.

I already had created one piece of anti-Trump art last year.  It was a 3-D piece that captured my feelings about the proposed border wall.

The looming black wall is composed of dark hateful words that trap and obscure the color contributed by the diverse mix of people in this wonderful country (represented in the center).  Overall, I was trying to depict the power of words through this piece and how they can be forces for good or evil.  Though I think the piece provides a powerful visual, it was really too fragile to try to submit for shows in other places.  It also would have been very difficult to take with me to Virginia.  So I've decided to repurpose components in a quilt to submit for the Threads of Resistance show.

I have found a background fabric that I think will work, but I can't decide on the layout.  These are the two I am considering:

The one on the left more visually reflects the predominance of hateful language in so much of what we hear today.  It sort of says "this is what's out there" these days.  I think the one on the right represents more of the jumble of my feelings and what I hope for -  with the dark words pushed to the back.

If I use the one on the left, I will want to add more words over the top to convey my concern  and hopes.  But I'm not too sure about how well I could make those stand out.  Thoughts???