Gender bias within fine art diminishes the value of women’s labour. Feminine craft practices such as knitting, crochet, embroidery and other needlework are disregarded for their artistic value. And although Donen self-identifies as a textile or fibre artist, others often label her as a craft artist. It can be difficult to be taken seriously in the field of fine art when there is an association with craft that has a lesser value than other traditionally masculine art mediums, such as painting and sculpture. Donen challenges expectations of traditional craft by experimenting with new media. She combines cross-stitching, knitting, and digital art/photography to push the boundaries and expectations of craft as a fine art medium.
Vancouver Cityscape is a mixed textile quilt that combines appliquéd fabric, crochet, cross-stitch, and free-hand embroidery.
