FOOD AND POWER
This project explores the relationship between food, the domestic workers who make it, and the people who get to “enjoy” it. This project aims to challenge the societal norms surrounding who is allowed to eat at the dinner table, why some people aren’t allowed to, i.e. domestic workers, and the reality they live in, e.g. their poor working conditions. Through the use of text, the story of the domestic workers is imprinted at the bottom of the plates and the top face presents a muted, more digestible narrative, being fed to the employer, and by at large Mexican society.
Access To Education
More than half of domestic workers are illiterate and only 10.6% of domestic workers' households are outside the poverty line.
Working Rights
Only 6.8% of domestic employees receive bonuses, 6.7% have Social Security and 5.3% have vacation days.
Othering
Domestic workers are often referred to by names such as “Muchacha, chacha, criada” and not by their given name.
These pieces were wheel-thrown. The size of the pieces varies but they range between 4” - 12” wide and 1/2”- 2” tall. The clay used was M370, and the finish is underglaze, bright clear and charcoal matte black glaze. The text on the plates was done with sepia decals