The First Sweaters — Lisa Anne Auerbach

THE FIRST SWEATERS, 2004-2006
I learned to knit in 1994, after I finished grad school. Until that time, I'd been primarily making photographs, but leaving school meant leaving the darkroom and I wanted to continue to make things. I was inspired by the sweaters worn by Rick Nielsen in Cheap Trick and interested in how the medium transformed the message and how Nielsen's persona as the band's nerd was created through clothing. I checked out a few library books and made a sweater. Ten years later, I bought a knitting machine in order to produce sweaters more quickly, in response to current events.

Sandy Koufax Sweater, 1997

The second sweater I ever made referenced Brooklyn Dodger Sandy Koufax along with the LA Dodgers logo. It's hand knit of wool and mohair.

Kerry Edwards 04 vest, 2004

When I first had a knitting machine I had a fantasy that I would make a ton of John Kerry sweaters and swing the election. I started KnittersforKerry.com but was never able to get any traction with it. And knitting with the knitting machine was a lot more difficult than I thought it would be!

Kerry Edwards vest (back), 2004

Bush is Scary Vote for Kerry poncho, 2004

Kerry Edwards vest, 2004

I Want to Like the President, 2004

Optimistic poncho

I Want to Like the President (back), 2004

Dick Cheney Before He Dicks You, 2004

My first attempt to use handwriting in a pattern for a knitted piece.

Dick Cheney Before He Dicks You, 2004

Everything I Touch Turns to $old

I saw this phrase on a bus bench, advertising the services of a real estate agent.

Everything I Touch Turns to $old (back), 2005

I began making sweaters as part of an art practice and I thought they should be worth the same as objects in another medium. Given the market prices of paintings, I didn't think $5000 for an artwork was unreasonable. The first time I wore this sweater out, an art dealer told me he'd give me $500 for the sweater. Insulting!