Modern and Traditional Embroidery Dress

Olá! This morning I waited almost two hours to visit the exhibition of Joana Vasconcelos, one of the most creative contemporaneous Portuguese artists. And I have to say that every detail was worth the wait.

Her exhibitions have the particularity of interacting with the spaces in a very special way. Last year she was the first woman and young artist to see her creations exhibited in Versailles (Paris) and that exhibition ended being the most visited in the last 50 years in Paris. Follow this link and you'll find incredibly beautiful images of how her work fits each place in such a marvelous scenario as Versailles.

But today I visited her work in Portugal! In a Royal Palace - Palácio Nacional da Ajuda, where we could confront the "Royal Life" of some of Portuguese last kings and queens with the irreverence and creativity of a contemporaneous artist - it's an incredible experience so different from an exhibition in a gallery...

One of the other characteristics of her work is the special way how she mixes different Portuguese materials and techniques. Each detail of these pieces are full of meaning to the Portuguese people and make us very proud of our culture - what is not so common among us, I have to say...

One of the most popular works are those made of ceramics and crochet, two very traditional Portuguese crafts.  And also the traditional Portuguese hearts, from Minho region, present in our embroidery and jewelry, and reinvented by her using plastic cutlery.

But today I bring you some photos of the "Royal Valkyrie". I've already talked about another Valkyrie, while presenting Nisa Embroiderers. Part of this sculpture was made by women from Nisa, using their talent in appliqué embroidery - one of the traditional techniques from this region.

It's impossible to explain the impact of this sculpture and any photo will not be able to show it...  Here you'll find a video and some better photos, but still it is so different to be there...

Enjoy...

Royal Valkyrie - general view

Royal Valkyrie - Nisa appliqué embroidery

Royal Valkyrie - three pieces of Nisa's embroidery

Royal Valkyrie - detail of the work of women from Nisa.

I hope you've liked it!

Olá! In the beginning of this new year I thought of reviewing "stitches with Portuguese soul, my participation here in feeling stitchy... It has been such an incredible experience...

I loved to know that so many of you already visited Portugal (and loved it...), that others still care for the strong relationship their families have with this country, that some knew Portuguese embroidery, and even others that have never heard about our "little spot planted by the seashore” are generous and kind enough to read me each week.

Estremoz Flea Market, photo by ZPmoreira

We've started our journey with a very beautiful book, the first from Anchor's book series, Traditional Embroidery of Portugal... Do you remember?

I've been learning a lot... For this year's posts I will never forget the groups of women embroidering rugs sitting outside, in Arraiolos; the beauty of "Pauliteiros de Miranda" costumes beautifully decorated with picado; the young girls from Nisa that began working at early ages on their bridal trousseau and how their work helped them to begin a new life; how a treasure kept in a chest changed so many lives in Castelo Branco; how the natural beauty of the island inspired the first embroiderers from Madeira and the exuberance of these embroideries conquered the all world some years later; how embroidery can be a men's story, too as in Póvoa de Varzim; how a piece of embroidery can be a love letter as in Portuguese fiancé kerchiefs; and how a woman in difficult times was able to innovate by helping to create what we nowadays know as Viana do Castelo Embroidery.

Estremoz Flea Market, photo by ZPmoreira

I've also tried to show you some of my projects... embroidered necklace, embroidered card stock bookmarks, embroidered notebooks, book cover tutorial, Christmas lacing cards, Christmas memories notebook, 

And there is still so much to know... I will not forget to talk about regional embroidery from Caldas da Raínha, Tibaldinho, Guimarães, Lixa and Azores... I promise! And I'll bring in Portuguese cross stitch, too...

I also would love to show some more recent trends... And I'll begin doing it next week, showing the work of some new (not from old times...) embroiderers... 

Estremoz Flea Market, photo by ZPmoreira

I have to confess mixed feelings... I'm so happy because I know better Portuguese Embroidery and how in the past Portuguese people always felt so "stitchy" :). But at the same time, while trying to find some new embroiderers, I discovered that their number could be counted by the fingers of my both hands (maybe only one...), at least those that show their work in the web. Embroidery is still an industry, like in Viana do Castelo and Madeira... But other arts & crafts, not so traditional in Portugal, are taking the place of embroidery... And I feel said about it it... I truly would love to do something to change it. So... Here come my new year's goal!!

This year I would like to prove (above all to Portuguese people) that Portugal is a living museum of embroidery. In each home  there are so many treasures that we must show and be proud of. I believe that will inspire new embroiderers...

My motto for 2013 will be embroideries out of the drawers!!! I will challenge all of those who have Portuguese pieces of embroidery to show them and take pictures... If you are one of those lucky ones, are you going to join me???

But you can help me anyway... Tell me about what you liked (or disliked) the most in this journey... Or what would you like to read about in the time left... Can I count on your help??

Estremoz Flea Market, photo by ZPmoreira