MÄDCHENTRAUM

Oil and needlepoint on canvas, 80+20cm x 100cm, 2015/2022

The story of WHY and HOW I made it:

About a year ago, friend of mine asked, if I was interested in a box of vintage and unfinished Gobelins (needlepoint) and several boxes of stitching wool, which were stacked up in the shops basement, where she works. I wasn’t sure what to expect and when I saw the amount of material, I was unsure. Did I want my basement to be blocked by moth ball smelling old stuff?

As I took a closer look, I realized that all the Gobelins were pre-sewn by hand, to mark where the colors would have to go. I was flabbergasted by the time and effort it must have taken to pre-stitch those patterns. I greatfully took them all for a box of chocolates, no questions asked.

At home, I looked through everything, did some more admiring and had the boxes standing in eye sight in my apartment. But no ideas wanted to be spawned in my brain by their sight. After a while, I packed them away in the attic, where they complimented the scenery.

A few month later, I went to get something from my painting/art supply storage and the idea attacked me when I stepped over the threshold!

Mädchentraum was standing right in front of me, unfinished since 2015. I could never get myself to paint the flowers in it, a task that I had left for last. I finally abandoned it, which is something I hardly do. The flowers looked pitiful and bland and were in dire need of a vigorous makeover. Naturally, the painting desperately needed some Gobelin!

It was a big experiment and I can’t say that I wasn’t a bit nervous about stitching through the oil painted canvas. But I am neither a ponderer nor a hesitater. Most of all, I always like a good challenge and there it was.

I could not wait to see the result!

While stitching along, my admiration for those woman back in the day, stitching away in bad lighting grew and grew. I still can’t quite wrap my head around the hours they would have spent stitching. (Maybe that’s what held them up, fighting for woman’s rights sooner)

By integrating needlepoints into my painting and drawing practice, I am hoping to spark some curiosity and kindle some appreciation for the tremendous patience and craftsmanship that went into designing and stitching these wonderful works of art.

I want to set a stage, where a dialogue can take place between two different crafts and enable them to compliment each other, without competing.