Diana Weymar, an artist and curator, discovered her creative voice through an unexpected medium—thread and textile. This newfound love inspired her to create public projects centered around activism, eventually leading to the birth of the Tiny Pricks Project. What began as a desire to document the Trump presidency has evolved into a global initiative, with over 5,000 contributions from participants around the world. Through workshops, social media, and public participation, the Tiny Pricks Project has grown while staying true to its original mission: to document a pivotal political era and foster action and activism. To learn more about Diana Weymar and the Tiny Pricks Project, read on!

Where are you based?
Victoria, B.C. and Princeton, N.J.

What inspired you to begin stitching and the Tiny Pricks Project?
I was enrolled in a course at Vancouver Island School of Art called “Art and the Language of Craft” when I was exposed to artists using thread and textiles in their practice. It occurred to me that this was a very practical medium (I have four kids, lots of moving parts) in that I could take it anywhere and it was inexpensive. I fell in love with working with thread and text. I started to create public projects around issues and activism. Tiny Pricks Project grew out of an impulse to create a material record of the Trump presidency.

Could you tell us more about the process of bringing the Tiny Pricks Project to life?
The project has several different threads to it: social media, donated textiles, public participation, and workshops. At the center of the project is action and activism: talking about politics, getting involved, processing current political discourse through art, and sharing language. The process has simply been to share my work and collect other people’s work on social media. This has given people a soft way to talk about hard things.

What message do you hope to send through the Tiny Pricks Project?
I hope that people will find a creative way to stay involved in what is happening in this country and participate in politics.

With over 3,600 pieces and participants from around the world, how do you manage the sheer scale of the project while maintaining its integrity and original mission?
Over 5,000 right now! It turns out that there is endless material and that it’s easy to remain true to the mandate to create a material record. Unfortunately, the Trump material is very old, but still very dominant. It’s hard to be shocked for years and easy to become numb. Perhaps that’s the hardest thing; it feels endless!

Do you have any pieces that particularly stand out for you?
There are so many. It’s really impossible to pick even a handful. Trump attacked so many parts of our lives. Every single piece is important to me. Each one is a statement by someone and I have deep respect for anyone who has joined me in this process. What stands out for me is that we’re in this together and the pieces represent that connection.

You mentioned how the project will go strong until Trump is out of office, yet the impact of his presidency remains. Do you foresee continuing the project in any way or evolving it for future political climates?
I would really like to address the climate crisis. It’s been hard to wrap my art around that one. The future political climate will depend on the climate crisis. The impact of Trump’s political career will be felt for decades. In a sense, it will be a long time before he is really out of the picture. The project will remain as a record, ready for interpretation in the future.

Given the rise of other political figures, do you plan to expand Tiny Pricks to include statements from other politicians, or will the focus solely be on Trump?
The project includes many, many other voices at the moment. For years it has tracked other voices to provide a contrast and to boast our spirits.

In such a polarized political environment, have you faced any backlash or controversy, and how do you handle that as both an artist and curator?
I think I am largely protected by working in this medium. It’s not exactly on people’s radar. I have learned where not to go. I won’t use #nra in a post. I know a troll when I see it. I do not hesitate to restrict or block accounts.

How can others participate, if they would like to?
They were welcome to DM me and send in a piece. They can also join workshops.

How do you feel about the role of art in preserving history, especially in a digital age?
I feel that it’s both hard and necessary. It’s so nice to see textile in person! It comes to like when you can see the actual work.

We heard that you are also releasing a book with HarperCollins. Can you tell us more about the book?
It was released on Sept. 10th.

Are there any upcoming projects you would like to share?
Just the book!

It has been a crazy past few years, how have you been staying positive?
I feel so lucky to be able to do this work. I am generally positive because the other options are not really productive to the work I want to do.

What is your motto in life?
Be kind.

To learn more about Diana Weymar, please follow her instagram:
@tinypricksproject

Diana Weymar - Voicing Politics Stitch by Stitch