Assisting Artist to Polly Apfelbaum

“The idea of the hats was inspired by the women's march in Washington in 2017,” Apfelbaum said. “I loved the idea of a sea of pink hats. Each student is a part of the sea, the colorful community at Tyler. Handwork and craft are such an important part of the school’s tradition, I wanted something that the students could make for each other to celebrate that.” -Polly Apfelbaum

The hats were knit by students in Tyler’s Fibers and Material Studies Program over the course of the academic year. Each hat comes with a label signed by both the artist and one of her student collaborators. “This experience allowed me to grow outside of my own practice,” said current student Katherine Frensley who helped make the hats. “I learned new techniques and at times found myself back to the basics. Working with globally and locally sourced wool, dyed in a variety of colors, I was given the freedom to mix and match at my own will.”

Temple University Diploma Project 2020