© Anna Maria Salehar . www.artembroidery.nl
Threading through life
Exhibitions
2011 Jan van der Togt Museum, Amstelveen, NL
2007 www.Stitchamaze.com
Publications
2012 Inspirations, Nr. 74, Country Bumpkin, AUS
2007 Inspirations, Nr. 67, Country Bumpkin, AUS
Talks on Thread Art
2011 Embroiders Guild, San Jose, CA, USA
Gave Classes in Needlepainting
2008 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Embroidery - like cooking - is an art. My mother started me on both. But there was still more to learn, as I found out. Over the years women from The Netherlands, United States, Great Britain, and South Africa introduced me to their techniques, ideas, and the world of embroidery’s artistic possibilities. Eventually, I took classes at the Royal School of Needlework near London.
Friends and I debated. When do craftsmen become artists? Clearly, mastering of technique is not sufficient, we concluded. Why are contemporary embroideries consigned to craft shows and textile museums? Must embroidery be ancient to make it into a mainstream art gallery? Not always, but it seems to help.
These riddles launched me on a journey of self-directed reading about colour theory, the psychology of art, and the works and lives of famous painters. It has deepened my understanding of how societies define art, style, fashion. With needle and thread I try to apply what I have absorbed. I attempt to convey emotion, simulate motion, render colour and light. These are, at least, elements in art. I leave it to others to judge if I have hit the mark yet.
Friends and I debated. When do craftsmen become artists? Clearly, mastering of technique is not sufficient, we concluded. Why are contemporary embroideries consigned to craft shows and textile museums? Must embroidery be ancient to make it into a mainstream art gallery? Not always, but it seems to help.
These riddles launched me on a journey of self-
Anna Maria
Embroidery Milestones
