Els Mommers – Time #5
Artist statement: TIME #5: SANDPAINTING : PAPUA NEW GUINEA
The fifth piece in my Times series is inspired by our trip to PAPUA NEW GUINEA: VISITING TIME: 1979
I am inspired for this piece by a sandpainting of a Highland Warrior of the Enga Province in Papua New Guinea that we bought during our trip. As far as I can find out on internet it is made by Rex Epen.
We have seen these people dancing and walking around in this outfit. On his arm he is wearing a kina. Kina means pearl oyster and was formerly used as a form of currency. The current currency of Papua New Guinea is named after it. We have several of these kina’s at home, just like the axe and the jute sack he carries.
For the background fabric I used a rusted fabric. as I used for the frames for Time # 1 and # 3.
The whole figure and the animals are appliqued, first on Steam & Seam light with tulle, cut out, pressed onto the background fabric and sewn on. Background is machine quilted.
Not so many details in your work this time, but for sure less is more. Lovely.
A very well thought out design that you have worked beautifully using your appliqué technique. The rusted fabric and your stitching aesthetic prefect for this design. Great work
This is a good addition to your series, linking the fabrics to previous pieces is a great idea. I love the dancing animals and their beady eyes.
There is so much movement in this piece. Great stitching, and the appliqué is very beautifully executed with lots of detail.
Using rust dyed fabric for this is a great choice.
The figure and the animals are great and placed on the right spot. The quilting of the background is very well done and the combination makes it one beautifull piece of art.
A very intricate composition. Had to look twice to find all the animals. The echo quilting in the background is lovely and so effective. Like the use of the rusty fabric. Beautiful piece!
Great movement in this figure and drama in the design. The quilting adds depth to the whole piece.
You have beautifully captured the vibrant energy of the people you saw dancing in the Enga Province. It is a gorgeous tribute and a lovely addition to your series. Well done.
Love it, but I just feel the rusted fabric is too heavy in colour, a lighter rust would have brought everything forward. But again beautiful work and design.
The dancing figure is so dynamic and works well on the rusted fabric. About the rusted fabric : you don’t have problems stitching through it ?
The color pallete you have chosen is perfect for the imagery. The quilt motifs add much to the story.