Annie Elbadawi

I am fascinated by untouched natural landscapes. My childhood in Upstate New York gave me an affinity for wide stretches of farm land, crisp clean lakes, and layers of blue mountains. My most prominent memories of pristine landscapes come from the Adirondacks. My entire extended family has held a tradition of returning to the same spot on a tiny lake tucked away in the mountains for fifteen years. These memories unite the place and people I cherish the most. After living far from home for many years, I find myself recognizing the patterns and textures I see in the world that remind me of Upstate New York. I am transfixed by overlapping textures and colors uninterrupted by development reflecting the feeling of comfort and belonging. I represent my memories and daydreams of landscapes that have brought me a sense of home through this series of embroidered fabric works.

I use recycled fabric from clothing passed down to me by friends and family to depict the serenity of home. Landscapes from my memory are broken down into sections, reducing natural scenes to specific colors and shapes that reflect how I feel in these places. Piecing together each intricate pattern and hand knit layer re-contextualizes familiar objects into familiar places. These found materials incorporate meaningful worn history into my work. The constructed landscapes stimulate the longing to be immersed in a natural space through the soothing color palettes and soft textures. The labored hand work captures every tiny shadow or movement between plains, showing that these places are highly respected and cherished. The poetic essence of these natural spaces is brought to life through each fabric's individuality and lyrical quality when stitched together.