Friday, May 7, 2010

Experiment and Oddities

When walking down a dusty lane in Peru, I stepped over a squashed re-cycled egg tray, one that accommodates 36 eggs. I don't know whether I am hot wired to interpret things but remember thinking that would make a great print. The other day I placed a 12 egg carton (empty!) behind a wheel of my car and then drove over it. It was well squashed. Herewith the results:

The squashed egg carton.

Textile pigment painted on to the surface.....

... repeat prints on to cloth. Not sure whether I am going to do any more but could have possibilities, in the right situation.

I came across this individual in a garden. Someone with imagination has turned a tree trunk and limbs upside down and carved a face in the trunk! I like it.

In a hotel lobby I came across this old leather suitcase. I presume it is pig hide as the diamond grid overlay still retained the hair of the animal. Perhaps not a designer accessory.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Women in Peru

The photos in this blog represent different women in Peru. How different we all are!

These two young girls, dressed in their native costume and with flowers in their hair, wander through the markets offering themselves for photos for the price of one Peruvian sol. Note the puppy being held by the older girl. On one hand it is exploitation but on the other it does provide some form of family income. Most children, when not in school, are out there hawking, helping in stalls, or making some contribution to family survival. So so different to our western children most of whom would insist on their right to play with expensive toys instead (including cellphones!).

This little lass was an incredible ambassador for her country. I wandered over to a small church in the square in Agues Calientes, the Machu Picchu Village. She met me at the door, took my hand, and escorted me into the church, down the aisle and into a pew. All the time she chatted away in her language and I responded in mine. She then showed me around the church. We continued our 'conversation', neither of us understanding a word each other said. Her grandfather was working in the church at the time. She was pure delight.

And the tourist in Peru. Me visiting a sacred Inca site high up in the hills. The town of Pisac in the valley below.

Tour organised by Lifestyle Journeys.

I am now beginning to contemplate new work. I have prepared one large piece of fabric. I also have several ideas that need test samples to work through processes.