“Leader of birds is a big white bird, swanlike, with a beautiful maiden head. She lives on top of the Northern Rock, looks at the midnight sun and other birds feed her with sweet northern berries. All birds of prey are afraid of her.”
This is an Estonian folk tale I wanted to capture in textile. I had several ideas in my head for her and perhaps in future they take a physical form, but for now this embroidered and layered version came to be.
She clearly has a mind of her own, contradicting me along her creation process. For example I had a totally different vision for her head, but she refused it and I simply had to give in. Nevertheless, this dialogue with material taking form is fascinating!
Her body is made of linen towel, handwoven by my great-grandmother’s sister-in-laws, 3 spinsters who never stopped building their trousseaus. Her body is generously embroidered, feather-like texture is created with different fabrics. She is free-standing, 40 cm in hight.
This decorative doll is my graduation project. But my doll-making journey doesn’t stop here, already I’ve got five dolls lined up to be wrapped for Christmas.
We had our first little snow this week. Sounds romantic, but I’m not overly keen.
Hedvig
omailm 