This is the second in my sacred cloth series of three. I never thought I'd place so many images but I was trying to show volume in real and ghost images. The jug reminds me of a feminine fertile shape and my research takes me to the ancient storehouses. Once people settle and discontinue desert wandering there is a need for storehouses. Olive oil, wine, vinegar and fish sauce to name a few would be accounted for and held in cool walled spaces. The ancient fish sauce referred to as Garum, was a condiment used on a variety of dishes. Recipes from Greece, Rome and Spain tell of a combination of fatty fish as sardines, fermentation and an addition of herbs. A remnant of this sauce was tested and it seems this fish sauce was high in protein, amino acids, minerals and Vitamin B. Please pass the Garum!! I added markings as inventory or accounting marks of all these valuable containers. The metallic papers used in the border were a gift from friend Deena years ago...never knowing when they would ever be used.
Personally this storehouse reminds me of mine (shed) where I keep stuff., some valuable and some not so much. Boxes of family memories, an accounting of sorts, citizenship papers, passports, birth, death and marriage certificates. One box is full of photos. First generation Americans, Norwegian, Russian, Polish...mostly with stern faces, formal suits, hats and shoes. I know some of the faces but others could be cousins, uncles, friends...who are these people? I'm at the end of my generation and the next will have no connection to these faces...it ends with me!
I had a wonderful visit with my son...the weather was perfect and we had great dinners at the harbor sitting outside watching playful otters and the coming and going of boats, good food and spectacular sunsets. Tuesday we had a 10 hour blackout which resulted in computer problems and today is my first day back online...very painful indeed! So I'm back well rested and working on my third sacred cloth and enjoying this July!
The containers do look feminine, and filled with potential. I am a fan of ghost prints too. Well done!
ReplyDeleteLeslie, Thank you . I think I'm finally 'getting' some of the stitching and cloth treatments. I'm not big on classes and slow to read instructions so it has been a journey for sure. Each piece has my heart.
DeleteOld vessels/jugs were made in such beautiful shapes and I like that there are many vessels in this rich and gorgeous piece..... like echoes of the past.
ReplyDeleteRobyn, Thank you for your words 'like echoes of the past'! I'm finding myself in places of memories so often and I'm glad it reflects in the work.
DeleteI too like the simple shapes of these beautiful vessels..
Oh!! What a wonderful piece, filled with memories and storehouses of history. I love all the vessels and as always, your colors.
ReplyDeleteAnd your visit with your son, watching the sea otters, sounds very lovely!
roxanne
Roxanne, Thank you...the research into the fortresses and the archeology of both Bronze and Iron age has been fascinating. Taking it all and making art is the challenge and fun! I think we all have places in history that we are soulfully connected and this time and area is mine.
DeleteLOVE at first sight Maryanne!
ReplyDeleteSophie, Grateful and smiling after reading this lovely comment...thank you!
DeleteThis is so beautiful, in person would be spectacular! Love the story behind the piece, layers of meaning
ReplyDeleteBren, Thank you...actually the metallic paper has a different look in different light...almost green sometimes and an orangey copper at others. I subscribe to biblical archeology magazine and read it cover to cover...like words from heart and home!
Deletethank you for sharing this wonderful journey through your work. I'm loving it! xo
ReplyDeleteJeane, I enjoy the research and the funny way we as humans never seem to really change...except for our favorite condiments...nevermind ancient fish sauce...I'll take my salsa!
Deleteah, very lovely and thanks for the story around it. colors wonderful and echoing shapes. glad you had a good visit with son. hmmm, yes when the electric goes out, we really see how dependant we are on it. at least it was summer. more light hours. and you wont freeze.
ReplyDeleteSuki, I really had a tough time with the electric going out for such a long time....so used to the computer and electric kitchen. I have battery candles so the lighting was nice and no worries about fire.
DeleteThank you...these three cloths are a place to explore and combine so many of the applications I've learned about cloth over this past 8 months.
vessels always intrigue me, and the repetition in this is arresting.. so glad you had a nice visit with your son... hope the weather continues to be nice...
ReplyDeleteCaterina, Thank you and yes the weather has been perfect for July...morning beach fog and afternoon sun...we actually can see the fog waiting out past the waves until the sun goes down and it rolls back in!
ReplyDeleteYour love of archeology shines through your work very clearly, even the pieces that don't have 'archeological' images in them. They all speak to me of ancient treasures, the passage of time, and mystery. I would love to see this up close to look at all the techniques you've used- wonderful!
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