ozymandias

Like Shelley’s poem Ozymandias (first published in 1818), my Ozymandias reflects on power, tyranny, hubris, the rise and fall of empires and states, and the enduring legacy of art. This work adds an additional layer by referencing the longevity of Shelley’ still-popular sonnet. 

I translated the poem into morse code and knitted this code to create my 87’ long Ozymandias, which cryptically documents the political events and upheavals in both the US and Canada as they unfolded during its creation from October 2024 through to December 2025.

I dyed the wool with plants from my yard: lobster mushrooms, zinnias, marigolds, St. John’s Wort flowers, and Japanese maple leaves.

Knitting conjures up images of comfort and warmth and these associations make the subject matter even more poignant. Ozymandias celebrates knitting as art.