ARTIFACTS

Until recently, I have been sewing buttons and buckles between layers of cloth, trapunto style, to form fossil-like impressions. Some appear to be freshly exposed artifacts; others are made to resemble columns of hieroglyphic symbols.

But real archaeological sites are often looted. So I have started cutting into my newly sewn pieces, 'looting' the artifacts and leaving dark, empty spaces.

   During a recent trip to Turkey, I was amazed to see so many over-lapping layers of history:  Roman mosaics over Greek mosaics, walls built with the remains of previous temples, and names chiseled into stone and then scraped off by the next conqueror.

    Now, I am experimenting with various techniques to increase the textile layers of my art, as in these handkerchief pieces.

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Continuing my study of multiple historical layers, I have started a series incorporating garments found in other countries. The scarf (above) and blanket (left) were dug out in an abandoned old house in Turkey. The vest (right) is from northern Japan - an example of the heavily mended old clothing called 'boro' (rags).

By layering these garments with old quilts, embroideries, crochets, I have placed them in a context of time and place.

  Artifact:blanket (Turkey)

  Artifact:scarf (Turkey)

  Artifact:vest (Japan)

Blanket,

as found

scarf, after washing

Blanket & scarf were found inside this old house in Bergama, Turkey

      Artifact: child's dress (Turkey)

  This small red dress  - which I opened, to show triangluar sleeves on the sides - had locks of hair attached to the back. I embedded it in an American child's quilt.

Looting