Maps, part 2, 2009I

Orientation (22"h x 22"w)

Old kitchen calendar towels are such great bits of history: the year and months are represented in whatever style was popular at the time. Some are worn half to death and others are still stiff with starch. The findings from many garage sales were dyed a variety of colors, then used for the layout of streets (based on a vintage city map). The dark background is a dyed damask napkin. The days and months orient to the seasons, not the usual compass points. Which seems a perfect map of memories, as we each struggle to remember the where and when of long-ago events. 

The tiny pink patches are phases of the moon.

Distribution Pattern of Imported Textiles (20"h x 15"w)

This was one of those stitching-on-the-road pieces. It began as just an accumulation of tiny patches, but it quickly evolved into a map-design. Not a map of any actual place, but mapping the old pattern of how goods would be delivered by boat, then make their way inland.  The threads of the blue river here carry bright new fabrics along the dull brown riverbanks. Small white stitches show how some of these new textiles make their way further into town.

Of course now you can get any goods delivered overnight.