On Setting Professional Boundaries

The Phillips Collection recently shared a meme of Bernie Sanders sitting at the 2021 Presidential Inauguration in his parka, mittens, and mask with the caption “I am once again asking you not to touch the artwork.” Of course, I laughed, and then I thought to myself, “Every time…Every damn time. Please don't touch the artwork. Please don't touch the quilts.”

Of course, I want people to appreciate my work, and I know that the quilting arts, along with other textile and fabric art, are very tactile arts that automatically invite touching because of the varying textures.

But hands lead marks - even clean hands - because of the oils and sweat on them. And we’re always touching things: our phones, purses, wallets, clothes, etc. that also have oils and imperceptible grime on them. The fabrics in the art then soak up those oils and sweat, and then trap dust, dirt, etc. This can leave smudges and marks that often can’t be cleaned. (This is the basis for fingerprinting...)

Even those pieces that can be washed, too many hands touching them leads to graying of the fabric, and of course, washing changes the way the piece looks. Over washing destroys them.

I try to be as gentle as possible when asking people not to touch the art work and I keep gloves available, but even then I've had people get their feelings hurt or ignore what I've said.

I have a difficult time telling people “Don’t touch” because I don't want to have to be a martinet about not touching my work. That can be a turn off to some people, and when you have a gallery to invite people to look and buy, the last thing you want to do is scare people away!

But at the same time, I need people to respect my boundaries, respect the artwork, respect the space, and recognize that you don't have to touch everything. Self-restraint is important an important lesson to learn.

At the same time, I need to recognize that not everybody was taught how to respect somebody else’s work, space, etc. Therefore, I have to set those professional boundaries with other people who are in my physical gallery. It is my responsibility to let them know “This space is for you to enjoy, but also to respect. My artwork is for you to enjoy, but you also must respect it.”

That message is something that I am currently working on improving.