Songlines

Embroidery in silk, yarn and thread. Hand-ruched and stitched fabrics, handmade paper, foil, glass beads, resin, sisal, original poetry, calligraphy, earth minerals, cord. leather on canvas.

94 x 73 cm (37 x 29 inches) inc. frame.

This work was inspired by a visit to Australia's Wollemi National Park, NSW, but it can be a rock face anywhere,  with its varied hues, ridges, lichen and cracks. Mineral earth was used to stain some parts.

It is also a portrait of the land as a whole, with all the brilliant colours of the landscape seamlessly knitted together – but riven with seams of dark history and shadowy pockets. The seams also represent the songlines that hold the world together and lead us from one story to the next; one life to the next.

This work won Second Place in the Flag Wool Fiber Art competition, USA.

The Songlines flow like the rivers that flow through the blood-red land; 

The orchid rock riven with stories, glittering with golden flecks of joy and silver tears;

And the wind carries the dreams and memories of the People on Brolgas’ wings; 

And the dark shadows of history seam the scarps; 

And we sing our way along the ridges and follow the valleys that flow 

With the rivers that flow with the Songlines.