Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Traveller's Altar

12"x18", tea stained cloth, assorted printed cloth, stamped cloth, paper, machine and hand stitching, ribbon and beads.
I believe this is my beginning of some new approaches and yet with my usual subject matter...still interested in the desert journey, antiquities of forgotten tribes and the forever love of cloth, beads and stitching. This piece represents (to me) a time when travel was measured with light weight burdens and that even altars and important documents needed to be rolled up and tied for safekeeping. I'd like to think of this cloth altar as a touchstone for the wayfarer: unrolling and saying prayers at the days end. Many rolled parchments have been found in clay jugs in caves as they were put there until the traveler would return.

8 comments:

  1. A touchstone for the wayfarer.... You make my heart race with your words and art. As I have said before the story behind your pieces adds another layer of meaning but even without the story I feel the history of your "ancient artifacts"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Robyn thank you so much. At least 10 years ago I agreed with myself not to make art unless my mind, heart and hands were equally involved. I think we share a common ancient memory!

      Delete
  2. I have always loved cloth pictures that can be rolled. This is lovely, so complex. Mary Ann, can you email me your new snail mail address? I'd like to put you on the mailing list for my new chapbook of poems and am not sure if I have your old address or the new one since you moved. sukipoet(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you suki...I love the rolled cloth as well...very different from a book.
      I haven't moved since 2000 but i will send you my address.

      Delete
  3. This piece is just gorgeous, Mary Ann! I love the idea of ancient journeys and nomadic altars...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sharmon thank you. We both share that love of the ancient past...I'm waiting for a new DVD on paths of Marco Polo!

      Delete
  4. Paying attention to which stories hold the most meaning for us seems so important to me of late. This post is an affirmation & a testament to that. May you wayfare on with much joy ;>))

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I made up my mind that I would give up art making if I ran out of heart/stories...so far I'm doing okay!! Thank you for wishes of joy on this journey of mine and the very same to you on each of your steps.

      Delete

reply