Mother River

Hand-sewn pieces of discarded bedding from various corners of the family are joined together to form an intergenerational patchwork. Deceased family members figuratively meet with the living, disturbed from their eternal rest so that they can communicate and repair broken bonds.

Frayed tears, worn spots, and repaired pieces of fabric sewn together serve as images of diverse communication and the desire to repair the trauma of ancestors. This dialogue is intersected by a river, the eternally flowing mother, symbolizing the cyclical nature of time and the possibility of redemption.

When viewed against the light, the seemingly monochromatic fabric reveals different shades and layers of history as a metaphor for the complexity and intricacy of family history.

The technique of hand-stitching large-format textile works is a form of contemplation and conscious investment of energy into one's intention.

Collaboration with a textile artist Světana Pavlíčková.
The work was created as part of the Mill Island exhibition curated by Šárka Zahálková and Kjetil Kristensen for Gampa Gallery in 2023. Analogue photography by Darjan Hardi.