Royaumont, France: what my hands felt, the burning years

Hand embroidery on French linen (2020-2022)

280 × 198 cm

On the wall of the bedroom the text in glitters “anything can happen” and indeed that’s what took place. The complete interior burned down, including hand embroidered blankets in flaming orange and purple, personal memorablilia. The blooming plumbago in blue and white however survived, outside on the balcony. And a basket with French linen, probably early forties and masses of red linen, yellow, blue, pink silk, cotton, embroidery needles. Back in the French countryside with the surviving materials, visiting the Chateau de Chantilly with its magnificent library. His Highness Aga Khan IV chairing the jury of an event at the Journées des Plantes and charming all present, including the masses of roses, magnolias, lilies, sweet peas, irises, daisies, orchids and herbs among other natural beauties. In the extensive gardens of the l’ Abbeye de Royaumont on the garden chairs, situated along the sparkling stream with water lilies and dragon flies the hands started working on the transformation from ashes to the natural wonders of Royaumont and Chantilly on the French linen. All embroidery is done by my own hand, materials used consist among others of cashmere, wool, cotton, silk, purchased in Paris, Senlis, Chantilly, Budapest, Venice, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Lisbon, London, Estoril, Workum. The first red cotton stitch was done in the gardens of Royaumont, continued in Budapest, Chantilly and The Netherlands.