Monday, July 8, 2013

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

19 comments:

hawker9999 said...

Absolutely earthy gorgeous looking and I love your story about the process and the manifestation.

Richard said...

you're an amazing writer babe, great story. Rich.

Ahipara Girl said...

Thank you for stopping by. X

Ahipara Girl said...

I love a good story. X

india flint said...

dye, stitch....peace
xo

ArtPropelled said...

Indeed they make perfect sense. Stories, memories, moods, contemplation, prayers, stillness... all stitched into amazing cloths.

Leslie said...

How wonderfully inspiring!

GLORIA ABELLA ( Arcadia fieltro-taller ) said...

Hermosísimos trabajos !! Tengo tus dos libros de eco-print y estoy aprendiendo rapidamente. Muchas gracias por compartir tus conocimientos. Gloria Abella.

eva a(r)t work said...

Oh, this is wonderful! I can't wait going to Scotland for India's European workshop.
eva

roz said...

to
me
too
beautiful

Ahipara Girl said...

Love you Indi x

Ahipara Girl said...

Thanks Robyn x

Ahipara Girl said...

Thank you Leslie x

Ahipara Girl said...

Someone translate! Thanks for stopping by x

Ahipara Girl said...

I count it a blessing whenever I'm with India. We get to experience the land from another perspective. You will learn so much. Have fun. X

Ahipara Girl said...

Thank you lovely. My little Roz cloths sit in my sewing tin and I frequently take them out and stroke them or share the joy of them with friends. X

Roxanne said...

i get it!

Tarla said...

so beautiful, that was so much fun to share, do come again soon xo

Ahipara Girl said...

Tarla. What a awesome crazy busy season I find myself in. Full of family and community. Perhaps next autumn I can get back up your mountain to play. X