・・ PREFACE ・・
“House of Cards” is a visual exploration of strength, identity, and continuity, rooted in the themes of Maya Angelou’s Still I Rise. This project uses the metaphor of a house of cards to express both fragility and resilience, structures that may fall, yet are built back up with intention and persistence. Layered onto this metaphor are cultural, historical, and symbolic elements that honor the experiences of African American women, reflecting the original spirit behind Angelou’s poem.
The project calls for translating a literary work into a visual system that communicates its emotional weight while integrating references to history, culture, and craft. The design needed to incorporate symbolic motifs, a clear visual narrative, and photographic elements that highlight both vulnerability and empowerment.
To anchor the project in women’s history and generational knowledge, cross-stitch motifs were used as a core graphic element. The symbol of the running and sitting rabbit is woven throughout the system, representing a continuous cycle with no beginning and no end. This cyclical motion reflects the ongoing nature of rising, rebuilding, and reclaiming one’s strength, an echo of Angelou’s message within the poem. Photography emphasizes intimacy and detail, capturing small, precious moments that are often overlooked yet central to cultural memory. Featuring women in these images brings the piece back to the poem's original intent, honoring the voices, stories, and identities at the heart of Still I Rise.
The final design merges these elements into a layered visual narrative. Cross-stitch patterns frame and support the composition like threads connecting past and present. The close-up portraits ground the work in lived experience, highlighting both fragility and strength. Through this combination of symbolism, craft-inspired visuals, and culturally rooted imagery, House of Cards becomes a tribute to endurance, heritage, and the unbreakable spirit reflected in Angelou’s iconic words.