“On my trips to Slovakia, I collected and was given textiles by my new family and friends. The country prides itself on its distinctive regional embroidery styles, and textiles are especially treasured in Slovak homes and history. The hand-embroidered pieces placed in my hands spoke to me. Incredibly, through years of difficult circumstances, extensive embroidery work has been continued. The simplest articles became works of art: pockets to hold combs, costumes, tablecloths, bedding, and even work clothes for farmers. The fabrics could be coarse homespun or fine linen, but the need to embellish, to produce beauty and identity even in harsh times spoke to me of the indomitable human spirit.”
I’m currently reading Quilt of Belonging: The Invitation Project, by Esther Bryan and Friends (2005, Boston Mills). Esther Bryan, an artist, found a new direction for her art when she had the opportunity to accompany her father back to his homeland of Slovakia in 1994, after the fall of the Iron Curtain–the first time he had been able to reunite with his family after almost 50 years of being separated. As he retraced his roots, his daughter Esther gained a new understanding of how people express themselves through art. The Quilt of Belonging became a work of art that would include “all who needed to belong, artist or not.”
Usually I skim pretty quickly through introductions in quilt books to get to the pretty, pretty pictures. But in this case, I keep finding myself going back and re-reading paragraphs–I haven’t even gotten to the pictures yet. What she’s saying is so close to what I’ve begun to ponder–the making of art in the midst of harsh times. The need for beauty even when day-to-day life is a struggle. Maybe especially then. So many women that I’ve gotten to know from a variety of cultures–women who have seen or lived through far worse in their lives than I can imagine–do gorgeous embroidery or beautiful weaving on the most mundane, every day objects. And I know in myself, when I’m at my most stressed is when I find myself wanting to get my hands on fabric.
I imagine I’ll be blogging about this book a bit more–I’m seriously digging it. Unfortunately, I don’t know any Slovakian women to find out more about that particular style of textile art. I looked it up–here’s a link to Flickr set with photos of Slovakian embroidery. I’ve been given permission by the owner, red2white, to post it. Beautiful!
The embroidery is truly beautiful. And the book sounds like one I need to read–at least the introduction!
Beautiful! My family is originally from Slovenia (my grandma and grandpa were born there). In 2006, we traveled back with my dad, his sister, and her kids as well. Trip of a lifetime! Such beautiful country and beautiful handwork. I wasn’t a quilter then…wish I had been
Sandy, thanks for this post. I am waiting for my library request for this book. My husband’s family is from Slovenia and my son and I just started the genealogy research for this side of the family. Last month we visited the Croation Fraternal Union in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which houses a museum (http://www.croatianfraternalunion.org/en/home-office/museum-gallery.html). The costumes are absolutely beautiful. I am looking forward to starting to read this book.