BAGS
The series presented here is quite particular as it has been part of a cycle of paintings on the theme of nature for the last twenty years, combining painting and embroidery techniques. The medium is careful selection of original postal bags that hold together a historical, sentimental and social significance. Historically, for over 22 years most bags like the ones as seen exhibited here have disappeared from circulation all together and are now part of our cultural memory. Sentimentally, the bags were the only means of transporting our secrets. Carrying messages from heaven to hell via purgatory. Socially, since then our society has switched to new and increasingly sophisticated technologies where mail today is transformed into @ and no longer needs bags. After several months of demanding and high-precision work which consisted the needle to pierce through fabric that is stiff, recalcitrant, rigid, rough, dirty, damaged and often perforated these same bags were transformed into precious, delicate objects while silver and/or silk thread were added creating a shimmering quality to the fabric. The techniques used are embroidery, sewing, pigment, oil, pastels etc. These postal bags are transformed from utilitarian objects into precious objects where finesse and frailness are expressed.