The flag is finished

Painted for a special friend of mine as a moving on gift..

(unceremoniously stuck to the door with blue tack so that I could photograph it for this blog)

 This was a very special piece made for a very special person with layer upon layer of meaning painted into and onto the canvas.. Significant only to it's new keeper..

At the last minute I decided to add a little poem, if you can call it that.. It will help to explain the flag to future generations of the family. Or may be not!

 

On reflection.. Perhaps I should have painted my full name..

Another little update.

Working on the little flag at the moment..

Olympic Values - Friendship..

I am lucky enough to be able to say that I have some of the best friends in the world..

One of them Cherry Hall decided to celebrate her birthday with a flourish an exhibition celebrating the Olympic Value -  'Friendship'

Showing now Chelmsford library, Essex.

(You can just see Cherry in the poster reflection)

 

Cherry's work 'Medal A Day'

 

Here a view of Cherry's work.. Looking through the cabinet. I love all of the patterns around the sides.. Looks as if its in Kew gardens glass house not Chelmsford Library....

The Olympic paper children are the work of Joan Glen-Martin . Amazingly completed despite suffering from kidney stones and a rotten virus.

The beautiful handmade book is the work of Linda Wilks, her flag book set off the cabinet with a flourish of patriotism.

.....Close up.. Whilst waiting to be put on show

 

My work was put into two tall glass cabinets 108 dolls all linked with red thread..

My blurb..

'A Common Thread'

by

Julie Howe

This installation is about imperceptible links that join us all.

The Olympics have joined athletes their coaches, families and spectators across the world in a unique way through sport, we join them for a brief moment as we watch their race to the Olympic line.

This installation was born through sadness and loss and ended up as a self-exploratory piece looking at the invisible threads that link us all .

It begun with a simple pattern made from a cereal box cut out in calico and stitched. Each and every 'doll' started with the same pattern (their own DNA), stretched and altered, evolving as they were made. One 'doll' led to another and became this installation of 108* pieces.

This work was started in despair and ended in the reassuring knowledge that we are all linked in some way by 'A Common Thread'.

“An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle but will never break.” - An ancient Chinese belief" - Author unknown.

*Note:108 is a sacred number.

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   "Friends have all things in common."- Plato