As Promised - New Finished Work
Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at 04:46AM There are three stories and I am going to tell them - bear with me as the quilts are only intended to be the tip of the iceberg, a memento.
Collections
Jenny Bowker
My pieces for Collections started as work based on the things I own, and in these quilts I have featured things from Egypt.
I love my cluttered home, and every object has a story. Each is a starting point- it evokes a memory of people or places, maybe one specific time, or a long period of multiple visits. As I made the work it became important to include some of the people I loved in the city
of Cairo.
Hassan and the Glass
Hassan blows glass in a tiny room in the centre of a square opposite the Qaitbey Mosque in the City of the Dead in Cairo.
The room is overwhelmingly hot, even in Winter, and shelves around the room are packed with bright treasures. Colours are so vivid that they seem to trap the fire inside the glass. I went there often and each time I would buy some small pieces.
I wanted some sense of the ordered ranks of jewel-like glass in its silhouetted shapes, and the incredible heat of the room and that Hassan continually worked with. I worried that the quilt was too rigid as I started the racks of glass, but it seemed to improve as I started free-cutting elements of fire.
I noticed that as he started to work with the molten glass, he focussed and became intent. I wanted that concentration and I wanted his face to be really strong.
Ittayer - The Friday Market in the City of the Dead
Ittayer has a junk stall in the City of the Dead. It is not tidy - it
is grotty and cluttered and he rarely has things I actually wanted to
buy. He has a wonderful welcoming smile. I have a collection of old
keys, and a few locks, and hamzas - the hand-shaped protection against
the Jealous Eye.
I do not actually have an image of his stall - but I am using bits and pieces from many places.
He has a marvelous relaxed smile and a joyous attitude yet he lives in one of the hardest places in Cairo.
He usually sells metals and I have found some treasures over the years.
Abu Ali and the Gilded Chairs
Abu Ali is usually strikingly dressed in black and white in the area
where he carves and sells chairs.
He is guaranteed a living as this is one thing even the most wealthy Egyptians will spend money on. The chairs are gilded and covered in elaborate fabrics, silks and satins and flocked velvets. It is so strange to walk in the tiny overcrowded streets of the furniture areas and see, among the dirt, these chair frames gilded and glowing.
On this day I had arrived to bring him some photographs and found that
he was not well. The escort I gathered in asking for him took me to
his window and I handed up the photos. He was moved and thrilled to
get them, and this is when I took this photograph.
Now you know what I have been doing for the last few months. I have been missing Egypt and have been working my fingers off trying to re-create some elements in my house.
I decided to blog these when I realised that none can really be competitive in the States. All are committed to the Collections for two years of travel. By then they are just too old for Houston and many large shows in the US.
So - you might as well see them.
Reader Comments (34)
Incredible. You have captured so much personality in these pieces that the men are very real to the viewer.
I can only agree with Denise. Thank you for sharing these quilts and stories with us. You are one very talented lady and I look forward to seeing your future quilts.....
gorgeous quilts and wonderful photos. I just hope I get to see these in person some day.
Thank you, thank you so much, for posting them, for letting us see them. They are so beautiful and once again, the country and the people come alive. I've often thought how much you must miss Egypt, not I know!
The third quilt was a complete surprise. I knew Mohamed from the photo from the window. (He reminded me of my father-in-law.) The gilted chairs were a delightful surprise.
Once more, thank you SO very much for posting them!
Kim B.
Thank you so much for sharing these with us. I am in awe of your work, it brings to life your stories.
A joy to see and read about.
Stunning, Jenny! And a fascinating glimpse of a fascinating country.
Jenny
I have always admired your work and feel it a privilege to be able to see these quilts. They are absolutely magnificent and you must be very pleased with them.What a therapeutic way to help deal with not being there.
Hope you have a great tour.
Marlene
Thank you so very much for sharing these with us (the beautiful photos, your stories and feelings, and the amazing quilts).
These are so beautiful, not only because of your skills as an artist, but also because of the amazing stories each one conveys. Thank you for sharing them with us.
Incredible. I love your work. You can really tell you love what your doing and it shows. I wish I had 1/3 of you talent.
They rock!
Just amazing! Looking forward to seeing them in person someday!
Garen
wow ... they look great - can't wait to (eventually) see them at show and tell at a CQ meeting.
I am also hoping Mum and I can actually FIND at least some of these places when we are over there (in Egypt) in a few weeks time ... reading all the stories/etc on here is probably one of the main reasons we decided to include Egypt in our itinerary! LOL
Beautiful work. I started reading your blog because of your quilts and kept coming back because of your stories and pictures of the people of Egypt. Thank you for providing a window to an area Americans unfortunately tend to be frightened of or demonize.
Wow!! Thanks for sharing Jenny.
Jenny,
Your quilts are beautiful and your blog has helped inform me on Egypt and Cairo so they are no longer just names, many thanks.
What amazing quilts, stories- you truly bring these people to life in your quilts- I am in awe of your workmanship- thank you for sharing
Thank you Jenny for the beautiful posting, you captured those men so well. I visited Cairo for 10 days and fell in love with the people. I brought home a very old scale that I bought in the market in Cairo. It reminds me every day of those beautiful people. Your quilts capture everything. You are so talented. Thanks again.
Wonderful quilts.
I have only just found your blog and find it inspirational. Coincidentally I had only found it about a fortnight prior to attending a Gloria Loughman workshop and she had asked me whether I knew about your blog and how amazing your work was. I am in complete awe at your talents and your ability to bring life to your quilts.
Jenny, I am about to downsize and have to rationalise my quilting stash of fabrics, patterns, tools and mazazines. I started to think that they would help re-establish a quilt group (or help start one) as the case may be. I have eventually discovered your site and read Alice's story. I would love to be able to send them on and help start a new group. Please let me know if Alice is interested. We may be able to utilise the Air Express Offer on the Victorian Quilter's website or work something out. Look forward to hearing from you.
Jenny they are wondefrul storiea about real characters and the quilts are stunning. I love the Hassan and the Glass quilt. Thank you for sharing them so generously.
Jenny,
These quilts are FANTASTIC, so very beautiful and made with so much perfection and skill!
And I'm very grateful you have shared them with us, thank you for that,
Regina Dwarkasing
Sint Maarten DWI
Your love of Egypt and the people you came to know shows so splendidly in these pieces, Jenny. I am so glad that you decided to share these, it is a privilege beyond words, and you have an amazing gift for expressing the place that was your home for so long.
I think that much of your heart and spirit are *still* there. Congratulations to you on bringing Egypt home for yourself.
Piece,
Rain in rainy NC
Your work is so absolutely amazing, I am so happy I happened on to your blog. I would love to be able to do this kind of art. You certainly amaized me.