Elsy Menko – Time #5
Amsterdam 1940’s
My inspiration came from Anne Frank’s diary.
Looking out of the small attic window from where Anne and her family were hiding, she could see and admire the big chestnut tree behind the house in all its glory. It would be her way of telling the time/season of the year. She writes:
‘Our chestnut tree is in full bloom. It’s covered with leaves and is even more beautiful than last year’ – May 13, 1944.
At a distance of 80 m from the hide out stands the imposing Westerkerk to this day. She couldn’t see the church tower from the window, but she could clearly hear the chiming of the clock.
She writes:
‘Father, mother and Margot still can’t get used to the chiming of the Westertoren clock, which tells us the time every quarter of an hour. Not me, I liked it from the start, it sounds so reassuring, especially at night’ – July 1942.
Her diary remains a message of hope, human resilience and the belief in the goodness of mankind in the face of unimaginable evil and persecution.
Hand dyed fabric, cotton fabrics, deconstructed lace, hand stitching, free machine embroidery, acrylic painting, inktense blocks
A sad story told with the beautiful work of art. I grew up under the chestnut tree, it always touches my heart to see chestnut trees blooming. Your tree has beautiful flowers…
A very delicate depiction of an unbelievably sad story. The trees are really striking against the stonework of the church spire. Lovely work.
I find this piece very moving, both regarding Anne Frank’s life and fate, and your interpretation of the quotes from her diary.
So many lovely details. You’ve used the lace so beautifully in the tree. And the stitching of the Westerkerk is striking.
A beautiful way of portraying a sad portion of history. The tree is definitelt an integral part of this part of this history and you have done a stunning job of demonstrating the chestnut blooms.
I like the way that you have portrayed this story. The deconstructed lace works very well to depict the chestnut blossoms and the outline of the church signifies its presence without it being a solid presence.
Wauw!!! It is so beautiful how you created the chestnut blossoms using this lace flowers. And it is so well you decided just to stitch the Westerkerk. now it is there but not in his full glory.
The flowers are lovely, very clever use of lace. Having the tree and the church together illustrates Anne’s sad story.
A thoughtful tribute, and the blossoms are well designed and elegant.
What a moving story behind your quilt ! Anne Frank’s will be a symbol forever. I love the use of the lace to make the chestnut flowers, it is so effective ! Beautiful piece.