Sunday, September 11, 2016

connected across continents with time and thread

The white cloths are from India.
The black cloths are from Sweden.
These are inspiring me now.
Don't you love how they resemble each other even though the makers never met?
Central floral, circular border decor, fantastical animals.  Red thread.
(The images are from books:   kantha and yllebroderier  )

The intensity of work built with thread, with its suggestion of obsession or even a kind of brilliant insanity is part of the viewer's experience.                                                                                                                                                                                     The process of stitching is meditative, essential in many cultures and traditions to quiet the mind and allow the spirit to evolve. Yet at the same time, there is a link to time passing and to the artist as a being in this world and the work is thus both physical and transcendent.
The contemplative, reflective nature of the process lends the work a depth and compelling gravity.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   There is a tradition of needlework through the ages and all that it means for women and cultures.  The ancestral legacy and dignity of needlecraft connects generations.    
                                                                                                                                                            Elaine Lipson (paraphrased a bit)                               

8 comments:

jude said...

brilliant insanity, perfect words.
I love how I might stitch for days and it is hardly visible except for the feel of it.

Dolores said...

Most people see with their eyes and never realize just how much work goes into the making of something.

Maya Sara Matthew said...

Embroidery to me is meditative. Those are gorgeous Kanthas and the pieces from Sweden are so exuberant.

Bonnie Hull said...

The blissful feeling of sitting and stitching is the same for us all, and so immediate in these gorgeous things...

Mo Crow said...

Have you heard about spiral textile ? here's the link-
http://spiraltextile.com/
I have some papyrus and a few ideas...

louisemaywatson said...

Thank you so much, you have got me back into thinking about stitches within circles. Your blog is always inspiring- a lovely link across the Atlantic - to connect a sisterhood of stitchers.

johanna said...

i love all These turning wheels! how did your Workshop run? actually i´m so obsessed with These i spoilt myself with the catalog of the Philadelphia Exhibition (though it was really expensive). These motifs are totally speaking to me.
i also love the wool stitchings from sweden. such a different look when the Background is black. swedish People really have a great Tradition in embroidery.

thanks for your visit on my blog recently. i didn´t find the time to return earlier... so much going on this summer.
always a pleasure to come over to your blog:)

LT said...

I have been to Manitoulin a few times and it was sacred. Happy to find your art and you.