My triptychs are, of course, based on old religious triptychs, like these Russian and Greek Orthodox examples.
Ancient Text Size: 23”H x 39”W open; 23”H x 20”W closed. This is the one I showed last week, the first triptych. Here's the inside:
If you've ever used an embroidery hoop, you know that the cloth gets pressed between 2 hoops. Here, I've just expanded that useage in the 2 side panels. Next:
Ancient Text #2 Size: 21”H x 40”W open; 21”H x 22”W closed The 2 outside panels each have a top layer of very sheer silk. the printed letters and bits of lace and crochet are sewn under that silk. Here's a closeup:
The wording is from crochet instructions, with all the abbreviations creating a secret code. I love being able to combine the instructions with the materials created, and framed on drying racks. Everything FITS. The materials and message are one. At some level, these triptychs are as close as I'll ever come to getting my art exactly right. Meanwhile, inside....
I found this red wood-and-fabric piece at a street fair. Closed, it can be carried like a vertical suitcase. Opened, it has all those great little pockets and rods to hold spools of thread. It was the inspiration for the inside panels of Ancient Text #2, with all these little pockets full of tools and materials:
In this detail photo of the top right inside panel, you can see instructions discharge-printed on the top section, the words "With your crochet hook..." transfer printed, and the word DARNING sewn on to the cloth.
And a detail of the bottom right side panel, showing the pocket edge a little more clearly.
Next:
Ancient Text #3 Size: open 25”H x 37”W; closed 25”H x 22”W x 3”D
My crit group suggested showing the back side of my stitching, so the two outside panels here combine the underside of some stitching along with some photos printed on silk. Here's the inside:
and some detail photos:
There's deconstructed lettering thermofax printed on the fabric, and more lettering printed on the sheer silk overlay, with bits of crochet sewn between...many many layers.
A piece of an old copper stencil sewn in there.
More Domestic Archaeology next time!