The wooden carved and very elaborate in some cases doors of Zanzibar fascinated me during our stay in Tanzania so it was a no brainer that I would go down this route.
I decided to focus on the various patterns that you see on the doors and create a tryptich of them.
Dyed fabric (over dyed many times before I got it right) ,designs free motion stitched, inktense blocks used to highlight the designs. The gold buttons were an after thought as the piece appeared very flat and needed a lift. Very large brass cone shaped are used on the doors. I am not sure whether my buttons will remain. Getting used to them but I might have a light bulb moment and try something else.
Lovely piece, Phil. Both the quilting and the colour - it was well worth the effort of over dying it so many times. Was it dyed before or after stitching? Great collection of door photos, inspiration for a series of quilts, perhaps?
ReplyDeleteDyed before then stitched.
DeleteThis is gorgeous. I looked at the photos before I read anything and I thought your quilt was a photo of a detail on actual door, until I had a second look. All the over dying was definitely worth it as it really dooes have the depth of colour of aged wood.
ReplyDeleteI love this piece. You have really taken your inspiration and translated it in cloth. The repeated dyeing really gives such a richness that can't be achieved quicky. I think the buttons are perfect, they add the accent to stop the whole piece looking so solid and monochromatic. Claire
ReplyDeleteVery clever! Love the way you have mimicked the panels in a door. Colour tones (all that dying) and highlighting add great dimension. Are they attached to a background piece? I am less happy with the buttons - too shiny, new. Can you paint them to age them perhaps? Or dark brown buttons? Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteGlad I didn't go with Zanzibar doors - you nailed it (haha!). Hilary
At this stage they are loose. Looking at the other works I am thinking maybe very large bronze sequins with a bronze bead in the middle. Hmmmm! Possibility.
DeleteI love how you've abstracted the designs and achieved an aged effect with your fabric. Perhaps the buttons lack the patina of age. The size and shape definitely add to the overall effect but are less subtle than your hard work.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great way to show off the ornamentation on the doors. I often take pictures of that kind of thing with no idea of how I would translate it onto cloth. You have given me an idea...... Perhaps some inktense on the buttons to dim them a bit.
ReplyDeleteThe colour is so wonderfully rich, the designs exquisitely translated. Agree with above re less shiny buttons. Love it/them!
ReplyDeleteWhat an innovative quilt and you have achieved the wooden patterning superbly. Inktense pencils are such a useful tool and have enabled you to enhance the patterning . The look you have achieved is definitely that of carved wood . I like the buttons . Perhaps using Jaquard Lumiere paint in stitched circles could replace the buttons and be permanent.Just a thought .
ReplyDeleteThe lumiere definitely another possibility.
DeleteWhat a beautiful piece of work Phil. Well done on producing something so beautiful - it is definitely a piece of work to treasure. Everything about it is amazing from the design, to the colour and how you have used paint, dyes etc. A great piece of work.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you've achieved the effect of a wood carving, and I do agree that the buttons give it a lift. The idea of Lumiere paint sounds good, or even some foiling on circles. Something bright, but slightly antique-looking at the same time. The highlighting of the design really makes it stand out.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully done Phil! I also thought of doing a Zanzibar door piece but then just knew you would create a stunning piece! The buttons should stay. Well done again.
ReplyDelete