Dis-Integration

Size 18" x 30"

My inspiration for this wall quilt is from a photo taken by the French photographer, Jann Arthus Bertrand. It is of a heart-shaped mangrove swamp in New Caledonia. Over the years and seasons this swamp subtly changes its size and shape in response to natural and man-made influences, yet it remains essentially heart-shaped.
The heart is a universal image of love and relationship. Like the mangrove swamp, a romantic relationship expands or contracts, waxes and wanes depending on the conditions it finds itself in and how well it is cared for.
In my quilt the heart is quite lush and exuberant. I re-discovered my beloved childhood pastime of latch-hooking and used strips of cotton, velvet and silk fabric to make the heart. I pieced the background and turned the seams 'back to front' to give the heart a textured 'border' leaving the threads unclipped to dangle from the piece.