Elsy Menko – Decay #2
Stone Town doorway
Stone Town, Zanzibar’s capital, is renowned for its many iconic wooden doorways, most of them over a century old. They blend African styles with Indian and Arabic designs brought to the island by traders and migrants over the centuries. The doors are usually built from heavy teak, ebony or mahogany giving them rich warm colours.
The front doors of many buildings are individual works of art, but carry deeper meaning, measures of the original occupant’s social satus and religion. Some of them are warped, others splintered and cracked, covered in graffity. Many of the buildings are in a state of disrepair with crumbling discolored walls and fallen plaster. The door that I photographed appealed to me because of its beautiful frieze above the door frame featuring carvings of twisting vines and flowers. This design is thought to be Swahili.
Eco printed and commercial cottons, painted gauze, tule, Neocolour II aquarelle, charcoal, ink, paper, free machine embroidery, some hand stitching.
FIFTEEN BY FIFTEEN 
You have managed to make this door so realistic using several medias, Bravo! The wall around the door is incredible !
I love the contrast between this beautiful old door and the visibly worn wall. The details are stunning, and your stitching is exquisite.
You have achieved a real sense of decay, the layers add great texture. The pattern above the door is beautifully stitched. Great work!
Very interesting story behind your doors, I am delighted to learn about the culture of Zanzibar. Astonishing techniques make the door speak to the viewer. I love it!
I really like your work, the structure of the wall and the door. Very good. The quiet colors contribute to the perfection of the work.
Elsy, the door and the wall around it are beautiful. I love the machine stitching of the frieze. A lovely mix of techniques.
I appreciate how you have captured the details above the door with your exquisite stitching. The manner in which you’ve created the aged and crumbling wall is wonderful.
ANN
As you know I like old doors and you managed to capture the feeling of this door so perfect. The freeze is stunning as are the old crumblled walls. Awesome piece.
I enjoyed the way you have chosen to illustrate the decay beautiful quilting.
I love old doors, I have countless pictures of old doors and you have captured here the essence and beauty of and old heavy door, withstanding through the centuries. Beautiful work and attention to details. Bravo!
Lovely attention to detail that brings the picture to life and captures the decay of the building. Great work
I too am drawn to old doors. The techniques you used are spot on and create so much interest and texture in your composition. Love all the details! Well done.
A beautiful old door shown here by clever use of varied materials. The stitching is gret and I particularly like the embroidered design above the doorway.
Beautiful door – the colors and details make me want to come in and fall in mysterious past of this space.