Piece, dye, stitch

These two pieces of cloth have been picked up and put down over the last four years. They're hand pieced from small fragments of old cotton and silk pieces of kimono from Asia Gallery in Wellington. Dyed with a combination of maple and eucalyptus leaves, onion skins and steel. Then more surface stitching. And once they are finally resolved, they'll hang like paintings on wall or across a chair or bed.

These complex cloths tend to travel with me, offering me still quiet moments to contemplate my life. Sometimes my concerns lead me to pray for my family and friends. Other times its just the opportunity to calm myself because life and.my brain are busy. Or to occupy myself while waiting in a doctors surgery or at the train station.  

I am constantly running my hand across the surface.  They are lovely to touch and a bit like a blankie as they cover my lap when I'm working on them. And the earthy organic smell of the dyepot lingers. There is no rhyme or reason. They just make sense to me. x