War Remnant
The collapsed stone walls of a blockhouse.
A blockhouse was a small fortress, many being built by the British forces from available material found in the immediate vicinity. Each one housed and protected a few soldiers, but its value was in erecting many of them within sight of each other, particularly along railway lines and supply routes. This tactic effectively restricted the movement of the Boer farmers who depended on mobility across the vast open veld of South Africa during the Anglo Boer War of 1899/1902. The conflict ended over 100 years ago, but the remains of these fortifications can still be found around the country.
Creating the stones of the wall, I once again resorted to teabags with organza overlay, drawing in the rock outlines with a fabric pen and Pentel fine-liner.
I found a half-dyed fabric for the misty, overcast sky, across which I wrote some lines from the poem, ‘Bridge guard in the Karoo’ by Rudyard Kipling.
The frame was made from imitation leather with the buttons helping to secure it to the background.
Allison
The tea bag wall is very effective and gives the wall depth . I really like your use of hand embroidery stitching and the leather framework. The way you layered the green bush is really clever and makes this a very interesting piece.
ReplyDeleteThe teabag and Organza scraps were from a previous piece and worked but I couldn't paint over it - I wanted a more orange/yellow wall. The bush was too 'cartoon-like', so I had to soften it with embroidery stitches.
DeleteAnother great history lesson. The tea bags gives just the right colour and texture for stones. You have cought both landscape and building with your stitching.
ReplyDeleteI could have said a lot more about that war as we have quite a few books on that subject. I tried to got a 'ghostly' effect as I'm sure all those places have many ghosts!
DeleteMore proof how effective and workable tea bags are. You have created the atmosphere perfectly. Your embroidery always brings your pieces to life. Great.
ReplyDeleteThanks Phil. Recently read about someone who put batting inside the teabags and then used them as such - must try that sometime!
DeleteThat could have been me. Very satisfying mindless project - stuffing the teabags while enjoying a cuppa creating more fibre for a project!
DeleteFascinating. The teabags have worked extremely well, as has the shading to give the picture depth. When I first looked at the picture before reading the text I was guilty of assuming it was somewhere in the UK - we too still have many remnants of war dotted around the countryside, though ours date mainly from WW II and were there for air defenses. This is more like a collapsed shepherd's hut on the moors though, which could have been built in the same era. I like your use of text within the piece as well.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed the challenge although at times I hit a blank wall! Luckily we have 3 months to complete the pieces.
DeleteWell done Alison a great piece depicting part of South African history. Your piece is very atmospheric and is beautifully executed. Every line and stitch fits in perfectly with your piece. When using the leather as your border you could have used fabric glue instead of the buttons which I can only imagine how your fingers suffered. I say this as I have just finished a church banner and used fabric glue to hold gold cording in place before sewing over it with metallic thread. Fabric glue works wonders at times but of course the downside is that it can't be removed once glued. A beautiful piece of work altogether.
ReplyDeleteThanks Patricia. I still intend putting a couple of loops on the top edge and then, hanging it on a black, burnt branch to add to the mood.
DeleteThe teabags and organza have successfully achieved a sense of depth in the blockhouse. I love the detail of the tree. Before I read anything, my first impression was that it depicted a ruin somewhere on the Pennine moors: it made me feel a little homesick!
ReplyDeleteSorry for making you feel homesick, Jinnie. I presume this building could be anywhere in the world but I wanted it to be in South Africa, and glad I found just the picture!
DeleteI totally agree with Patricia - very atmospheric. Of course, I love the way you have used the teabags. I had started collecting teabags awhile ago and was excited when I saw them in your door piece. Thank you for the history lesson as well. Now we aren't hiding from people but from a virus thankfully, though, for most of us, in the comfort of our own homes rather than a blockhouse!
ReplyDeleteThe soldiers weren't hiding but guarding the bridges and roads of the area. As all wars are, pointless and horrific! We just have to stay positive, and busy, at this time.
DeleteSorry for the clumsy analogy! As you wrote, the soldiers were being housed and protected in the small fortresses - not hiding, and I was trying to say we are using our borders as small fortresses to protect us from the virus. Agree, being positive and busy is important!
DeleteFascinating - both in terms of history and the varied textures that you have created.
ReplyDeleteTried to get a rough texture for the wall and a misty effect over the piece. Really enjoyed the challenge - thank you!
DeleteA lovely piece Allison. I like how you used as inspiration your photograph. And an interesting bit of history indeed. Your colouring, quilting/embroidery and the text really bring it to life.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dianne. Remembered my husband reading that poem a while back and then decided to 'write' it on the hills, for something different.
DeleteAllison I am full of admiration for what you have achieved. It has captured that crumbing stone building out in the mists and back of beyond. You always added lovely personal touches. Hilary
ReplyDeleteSo good to be part of an inspiring group who 'think outside the box'! I know being creative keeps me sane and I pity anyone who is 'bored' at this time - I see many here in this Retirement Village who are just that!
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