SEPTEMBER 1 • 2022 | 45

“Men Control the 
Narrative,” a piece in 
The FET!SH Project 
by Laura Earle. 
Photo by Laura Earle

ed two conceptual pieces for the project.
Earle’s artistic process always begins with the source 
material, which was having the 15 FET!SH artists, 
including herself, read Brandsplaining. In a group set-
ting, each artist would then share her experience from 
her findings.
Earle’s inspiration for combining art with social 
activism came early on after hearing a talk by feminist 
artist Suzanne Lacy at the University of Michigan. Earle 
was living in Ann Arbor at the time and participated 
in a study group, akin to a book club, with a group of 
women at Congregation Zera Avraham.
“We were a homegrown community of women who 
got together to discuss topics of all types. It’s like the 
Jewish tradition of “chavrutha,
” where we gather togeth-
er and learn together. This Jewish model of learning 
has a very strong influence on me and is definitely a 
strong component in how I curate my projects,
” said 
Earle, who is one of four Jewish artists participating in 
the FET!ISH Project, along with Susan Shlom, Lynn 
Edwards Newman and Idelle Hammond-Sass.
In addition to curating and presenting FET!SH, Earle 
is co-collaborating, for the second time, with Norwest 
Gallery Owner Asia Hamilton to present Womxnhouse 

22, opening Sept. 17. Earle and Hamilton have brought 
more than 16 artists together to create an immersive 
exhibition in mediums that include storytelling, film, 
fiber art and photography at Hamilton’s childhood 
home. Her home is now an artist residency and gallery 
space in Detroit that was inspired by the 1972 feminist 
project Womanhouse. 
“
As a curator, I am passionate about moving toward 
a more equitable, just and sustainable world for all of 

Artist and curator Laura 
Earle in her studio working 
on her pieces for the 
FET!SH Project. To her left 
is “Measuring Up,” and she 
is sewing a second look 
called “Men Control the 
Narrative.”

continued on page 46