TWELVE BY TWELVE: Marrakesh 28.4.11

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Marrakesh 28.4.11

Whenever I think of spices I either think of the great Pakistani run cash and carry near where I work or the spice stalls on the Marrakesh souk. Just outside the souk is the Cafe Argana where I sat on the terrace and ate tagine containing spices. Sadly on 28th April a bomb killed seventeen people of many nationalities and destroyed the cafe. This is my memorial to them with 17 stripes ( dyed with turmeric) and 17 straight and 17 cross stitches.

Is it just me or are the rest of you having trouble photographing these colours? The hand monoprinted fabric with gold accents refuses to look shimmery whatever I do with the camera.

14 comments:

Marlis said...: how touching! i'm deeply moved by your piece helen. 1) i know the place, i have been at the cafe argana myself and 2) three of the killed people are from the area i live in (italian part of switzerland). two young couples, friends, were on holiday in marrakesh and just one girl survived.; June 1, 2011 at 8:04 AM
Gerrie said...: Gorgeous colors!! Wonderful stitching. Very touching story. And yes, I had a problem photographing mine!!; June 1, 2011 at 8:21 AM
Diane Perin said...: Just lovely. I just love the restraint in this, Helen. And the composition is very strong. Your quilting lines really add a lot -- and of course those 3 died bits (with the circly quilting) have a sense of faint blood spots that creates (in my mind) a sense of dis-ease... which is quite appropriate for your reference to the Marrakesh bombing. I've said this the last few times, but now I think THIS is my favorite of yours so far.; June 1, 2011 at 8:39 AM
Diane Perin said...: Um, I meant DYED bits. Freudian, eh?; June 1, 2011 at 9:07 AM
Deborah Boschert said...: Gosh... you're channeling Françoise a bit I think. We're all inspiring each other!

I love those 17 turmeric stripes. It's all really excellent -- especially the combination of hand and machine stitching and the beautiful palette. I can totally see why YOU picked it.; June 1, 2011 at 9:48 AM
Kristin L said...: It's a lovely composition, and the memorial aspect is a wonderful second read. I like your balance of smooth and texture, and I can imagine that the monoprinted fabric looks fantastic in real life! Beautiful.; June 1, 2011 at 10:06 AM
Elizabeth said...: Wonderful memorial, color and stitch!!!; June 1, 2011 at 11:19 AM
Karen said...: Another beautiful, meaningful piece Helen. I love to read your stories behind these quilts.; June 1, 2011 at 12:37 PM
Nikki said...: Beautiful, bright quilt and a meaning that once again breaks my heart.; June 1, 2011 at 2:50 PM
Terry Grant said...: This is such a lovely piece--both as a memorial and just as a visual experience. Your colors are mouth-watering and life-giving, while the message is heart-breaking.; June 1, 2011 at 5:06 PM
Brenda Gael Smith said...: You've really nailed value and balance in this composition. And the combination of hand and machine stitching adds wonderful texture. I look forward to seeing this in November.; June 1, 2011 at 5:29 PM
kirsten said...: Gosh, Helen, many of your quilts have moved me, but this is powerful. And very beautiful.; June 1, 2011 at 10:47 PM
Terri Stegmiller said...: What a lovely tribute! This is a great abstract design Helen and I love the simple straight line quilting in the background areas.; June 2, 2011 at 4:46 AM
Françoise said...: Lovely quilt Helen. Of course I am very moved by its meaning.
(And, I also had trouble photographing my quilt.); June 2, 2011 at 10:28 PM