A new series is in the making, with the theme Freedom, I want to dive in to what freedom means to me, in a cooperation between my inner voice and my home dyed fabrics. I’ll be looking at what’s going on in and around our little country politically and humanly, that’s what is creating a need in me to try and understand and maybe come to terms with all the animosity and evil that is going on. I’ve never felt trapped in my homeland, but strong forces are trying to limit the freedom of the individual, rights fought for and accomplished by our ancestors. So, what’s at stake for me, where do I feel my freedom is being threatened, I order to answer those questions (to myself) I need to dive in to what freedom is to me.
“Freedom is not something we’re given, it is something we create, together”
First one in this series is “Give peace a chance”, made with no planning, just listening to my intuition, my inner voice and feelings along the way. It turned out a message to myself, you need to make peace with yourself, before you can create piece around you.
With the olive branch as symbol of peace and the “wall” (like the family tree) representing all that was here before me. Each “stone” representing a life, maybe a family, they may have built the wall to shield their family against evil from the outside world. These are the thoughts I’ve been having for the present time, more works are coming and I’m looking forward to see what will come.
The second piece in this series I’ve named “Just another brick in the wall”, my inspiration comes from doing genealogy of my heritage, instead of a family tree I’ve made a family wall. Each brick could be representing a life or maybe a whole family’s life, light and darkness unequally distributed. I put in my own silhouette in black lace, because I’ve been thinking a lot about the women that came before me, what they had to endure in their lives. They all fought their own battles and thereby laid a foundation for the life I’m living today, with privileges they never experienced themselves. As a woman, we do have more freedom today, thanks to these brave women that was here before us, but we still have a long way to go, before men and women are equal. I’m thinking that I have a big strong wall behind me, that can give inspiration and support for me in my life.
Third piece called “Butterfly escape”, butterfly as symbol of piece, breaking of traditions tying them down, flying out with messages of respect, solidarity and loyalty. My inspiration for this quilt was a very small doily from the charity shop, containing three small butterflies, a beautiful handcrafted piece traditionally made by women. Nothing wrong with traditions, as long as they don’t create unnecessary limitations for the freedom of the individual. Again, using the rust as a symbol of inherited traumas through generations, something “toxic” being neutralized and leaving beauty in its place.
The fourth piece is about the feeling of being abandoned very early in life, before language and the possibility of understanding has evolved. The bed as a symbol of emotional imprisonment, an empty picture frame depicting the loss a broken mirror reflecting the hurt and pain that would follow as a shadow for life. Rust running down the walls and the flowers are black, the walls have crackled and the floor is of hard and cold stones. But it’s also about acknowledging the trauma and making a conscious choice of abandoning this scene for good. Where grief and anxiety used to rule, now openness and light can come through, freedom.
5 A tribute to my mother “Never forgotten”, it’s been 22 years since she passed, but still lots of questions are left unanswered. She found peace/ freedom, so did I, freedom, grief and longing all in an odd emotional mess.
6 Triptych – “Faith, hope and love” became a wagging finger to myself and anyone who needs one!
- Believe in yourself, first!
- Hope and dream with all your might, without it there is no life!
- Love life and yourself first and foremost!
With a rusted background as a representation for what’s behind you, with printed green leaves on silk organza on top as a new airy transparent layer, life goes on.
“One step at a time” it’s no use pacing yourself, first step is the hardest and most important. Moving up and out in to the light, it feels boundary crossing when you’ve spent your whole life holding yourself back, pleasing everyone else. Right up near the “ceiling” it says on the wall “You are good enough”, it’s worth the discomfort and effort to move up the ladder, step by step. Freedom from your own oppression awaits.