Shreds and Patches

 

“Allow me to introduce myself to you as an advocate of Ornamental Knowledge. Some like the mind to be a neat machine, equipped to work efficiently if narrowly, and with no extra bits or useless parts. I like the mind to be a dustbin of scraps of brilliant fabric, odd gems, worthless but fascinating curiosities, tinsel, quaint bits of carving and a reasonable amount of healthy dirt. Shake the machine and it goes out of order; shake the dustbin and it adjusts itself beautifully to its new position.” – Robertson Davies

This is a great description of the tatty peacock's tail of stuff I carry about with me.

The "A Thing of Shreds and Patches" exhibition also included selections from the Te Horo series.

All pieces hand dyed, hand stitched linens, silks, cottons. Click on any image for a larger image.

Inspired by my work with 17th century music and dance. Costumes personifying gods, green woods, forces of nature etc
I wanted to make an old, much used theatrical mask, patched mended, strengthened and adapted again and again for new uses.
Some schist rock, abundant in Central Otago. The piece simply developed into a mask.
I was thinking that by now, the path to enlightenment must be nearly worn out, much mended and a bit tatty, requiring faith and perseverance for success ....
One of several pieces attempting to express the beauty and skill of Byzantine mosaic.
In the early stages of the pandemic, superstitious behaviour was rife. This is a window charm to avert evil.
A vertical village carved into a cliff face, a very ancient way of living
A city dreaming in the sunny haze and blue water of summer.
Layers of time and fabric. Memories of my grandmother's family homestead in Avonside, Christchurch.
A study in darks, driftwood, stones, shells.