Creating the Intelligence Series

If you have read some of my previous posts, you probably know I am fascinated with hiding coded messages in my artwork. This is not done to communicate a subversive message but to add depth and meaning to what can be perceived as just a pretty picture or composition.

The Intelligence Series is another group of needle punch designs that recognize the women who broke code and obtained enemy intelligence through spying in WWII. Due to the nature of their highly classified jobs, not only were they not recognized or rewarded accordingly during their active duty, but many of them passed away prior to receiving accolades for their accomplishments.

 Designing and Fabricating the Artwork

I created these pieces with a Bar code and a color-coded Rosicrucian-based cipher. I started with three color palettes. Each palette references the women’s military uniforms from each branch. I want to add that their uniforms were purposefully very stylish because, according to the literature about that time, women should always look good and carry themselves with grace.

Paying homage to several female codebreakers and spies, I created each piece using their initials. To add an additional coded element, each piece also becomes a letter. This is conveyed through the color and the placement of each button.

When put together, the entire piece reveals a message.

Each piece is sold individually, and when assembled in the correct order, they reveal the larger message.

Below is a visual example of the process. You can also watch a video on how these pieces were created: The Intelligence Series