Embroidered Painting - Whitney 2014

Dona Nelson

Okie Dokie

two sided embroidered paintings 

dyed fabric, thread and acrylic on canvas

Whitney Biennial

2014

New York

Bourgeois Masks

life size, fabric covered heads
hiding emotions: 
pain, doubt, hunger and desire;
cubist masks:
 embroidered, decorated patchwork 
of domestic materials
sewn together 
- joining and reparation -
to heal traumas

Louise Bourgeois

Freud Museum London

Embroidery language

This Hungarian folklore pattern speaks of love with an archaic sign language using the beauty of the tulip and the peacock as symbols of male and female sex, fertility, sun and heaven. The reversed heart form is the symbol of male sex, the open tulips are for female fertility, and the plum-like shape between is for female genitals. The tulip opens up to the sky and offers herself to heaven. All this activity is catalysed on the warmth of the sun symbolised by the peacock-eye pattern.