Elsy Menko – Decay #5
The doctor’s car
In 2007 I visited the ruins of Oradour-sur-Glane located not far from Limoges in France to wander around the crumbling walls, the burnt buildings, cars and various household items left untouched ever since that fateful day in June 1944 when the Nazis massacred the entire village population in the most heinous way. The men were lined up and shot, the women and children led to the church and burned alive, a total of 642 victims.The Nazis left but not before burning the entire village. After the war Charles de Gaulle decided to leave the ruins untouched to serve the public as a reminder of the atrocities the Nazis were capable of. A new village arose some distance away. The ruins have become an important place of remembrance. A visitors center provides information for the many yearly visitors. It was a difficult experience. One comes away with a heightened awareness of and gratitude for our freedom.
Commercial cotton fabrics, tule, fusing, free motion embroidery, hand stitching, Neocolour 2 crayons, pencils, acrylic paint.
Detail view:
Original photo (rights purchased):
FIFTEEN BY FIFTEEN 
I have heard of the village but have never visited, I believe that it is a harrowing experience. I love the way that you have interpreted the photo and your choice of fabrics, the pop of the greenery brings it all to life. Great work.
It is a sad story, we had similar in Lithuania but the village was rebuilt. I love your fabric choises and attention to details. Well done!
A very sad story but captured well by the image of the rusted and decaying car. The fabrics have been well chosen to perfectly show the devastation. Well done
Your story is similar to reality these days in some parts of the world. I really like the car and the choice of color for the quilt.
What a terrible story. You kept the atmosphere of sadness in your quilts. Great piece!
The brutalities of war are incomprehensible, the capacity of humans for cruel acts is unfathomable.
This piece is very moving and upsetting at the same time. A sad and at the same time very appropriate addition to your series.
Beautifully done.
Elsy your quilt is stunning ! Of course I know the story of Oradour-sur-glane but I have not had the opportunity to visit it.
With your choice of fabrics you captured the sadness and the atmosphere of the place.
Never heard this story, but it is harrowing. Your picture captures the sadness of the place. The grill of the car looks like a big screaming mouth about the carnage that took place here.
Beautiful choice of materials and techniques. Bravo!
Great interpretation of your theme. Beautiful colours and technique. Thank you for sharing the story of the town. Beautiful!
a nice interpretation of this unhappy event. I love your use of color and perspective.
Thank you for sharing the horrific story, so disturbing. Now I cannot unsee what Els described. You interpreted the photo of the desolated town very well, especially the decayed remains of the car. Well done.
What a dreadful piece of history, so distressing. You have captured the horror in this piece with careful fabric choices and great attention to detail.
Beautiful execution of such a heavy subject.