PatchWork Ritual Art
Why call it Patchwork?
By definition a patch is a small space, different from the area around it. As a piece of cloth it can be used to mend or strengthen a torn or weak point and can repair damage to something in an improvised way. It also has the potential to be a point of beauty or decoration, marking out a particular characteristic, unique from the rest.
The work of needle and thread with fabrics is one of the most ancient of feminine arts practiced around the world for centuries. In my own personal artistic practice, the process takes me further to say:
Patchwork is Ritual Art.
How So?
I begin by gazing into a field of colour that I am intrinsically attracted to.
I observe the blank fabric and see with my mind´s eye what immerges. There are no previously made designs, pre-constructed ideas or expectations. Just intuition.
Once the image is captured, I take my sharp scissors like a sword and freely cut the forms. Then using a hot iron and water, I press the material and then take up my needles like wands, weaving the magical threads, which lead me into a deep meditation or trance. As I journey through the pieces of fabric, sewing by hand or with a machine, I am following and listening to what the pieces sings to me. I serve to put the “patches” together into a harmonic totality. I may feel inspired to write words or paint on the fabric to communicate the final message of the piece.
The end result is the contemplation of a collection of moments in time, like a mosaic. Depending on the purpose, the piece can be presented framed, simply attached to a rod and placed on the wall, hung in front of a window to catch the sunlight, sewn onto a structure such as a nightlight, used as a blanket, medicine wheel or featured in ceremony.
The owner of the piece chooses where the ritual continues…
Why Me?
Years ago I was told by a clairvoyant that in one of my past lives, I used to heal people by laying coloured fabrics over them.
I have always been fascinated by the power of colour and I truly believe it has the capacity to bring balance and beauty to all environments.
My introduction to the world of art and Contemporary Patchwork began in the family home where I used to live with my mother and grandmother in Northcote of Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand.
I remember being fascinated watching the play of light shining through the fabrics that used to hang in front of the window of the girls’ room. It was a beautiful sacred space. I compare this same space feeling to being in a church with stained glass windows or coloured glass.
Little did I know that this artistic expression was a far leap from what people traditional know as Patchwork and that I was experiencing something truly special.
Throughout my childhood and young adult life, I had the privilege of being close to my Aunty Rose McLeod, A Great NZ Contemporary Textile Artist.
At the age of 13 she taught me how to sew and helped me to create my first Patchwork piece. During my teenage years I would make trips to the bottom end of Waiheke Island to visit my Aunty Roses. Entering her home studio and garden was like stepping into another world. She was a master of creating space. It was there with her that I received a rich education in art history with Matisse, Picasso, Chagall, Monet, Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keffee; the art of cooking; the importance of beauty; gardening; spirituality and other mysteries of nature. It was also thanks to her that I was introduced to Gypsy World Music and Jazz, which had a huge impact.
Over the last 30 years, I have always found joy, peace and solace in the process of making Patchwork Ritual Art. Especially in difficult moments, when I have felt homesick on my travels, to sew and to sing coser y cantar have always helped me to connect to te aroha o te wairua tapu, the source of love, deep wisdom and the great spirit that never fails to nourish, strengthen and guide me… Haumi e, hui e, taiki e... Aho!