2024 - Gauze Poem

On August 27th, Naomi posted the poem, 'Gauze', to our Book Club page.

I responded with, "I would like to create a textile piece inspired by this poem."

October 2nd, here it is. I have completed my Fabric Piece, inspired by the Gauze Poem.

This is the information that goes with my work.

Gauze was traditionally woven in Palestine. The English word is said to derive from Arabic and Persian words for silk, named after Gaza (Arabic: Ghazza), the place, a centre of weaving in the region. Woven gauze is the oldest dressing known, and dates as far back as the ancient Egyptians, who used it to wrap bodies prior to burial.

My Fabric Piece works with gauze and a light prima cotton. Strips of the cotton fabric have been woven to represent the flag of Palestine. The beautiful poem by Geraldine Mills is embroidered onto the cotton. The gauze fabric creates a covering/ a wrapping for burial. 

My Egyptian connection, is through Lee Miller's evocative 1937 photograph, 'Portrait of Space', Siwa oasis, Egypt. Looking through the ripped mesh, out on to a desolate landscape, and does that cloud resemble a dove?

Years ago, I viewed an exhibition of Lee Miller's photographic work, and 'Portrait of Space' was the one I took away with me. 

It was once used on the cover of a publication of the novel, 'The English Patient'.