This is a really special project. Made for a very dear friend for her 50th birthday.  The inner layer of felt holds 50 pockets.  One for each year….Some of the pockets hold little tokens that reflect an element of her life…like three beads- one for each child….these inner pockets are reminiscent of healed wounds, scars…..life experiences that make us the people we are….and with the layers of felt in this piece, not always in plain view.

 The overlayer reflects on all the windows through which others see our true selves. The angles and influences….what we allow them to see and when. How open we are in some areas of our lives and pasts, and how closed and private in other areas…..

This was a complex layout…felted all in one piece, seamless, and therefore with multiple resists. The layers as light as possible, without compromising their strength…..

Then the dying…..Shifting colours…..a light and a dark side. The multitude of emotions we feel…The cowl can be worn with bright, light, exuberant colour showing out, or turned to be more demure, reserved, introspective….The whole piece can actually be worn the entire surface detail on the inside….like a full skin obscuring all the goes on inside….The circular nature of the design speaks to continuity, process, life cycle, and a wish for 50 more wonderful years…another turn of the wheel…..

 

It was such a pleasure to develop this piece….and venture deeper into the process….I am grateful to my friend for providing me with the opportunity to make something for her, inspired by her….and for all our years of fibre talk and support…. Love, love…..
Warm wishes,
Fiona