Mend: to make (something broken, worn, torn, or otherwise damaged) whole, sound, or usable by repairing ....
Looking at these images I could add ....
Mend: to beautify and to create art.
"When the Japanese mend broken objects, they aggrandize the damage by filling the cracks with gold. They believe that when something's suffered damage and has a history it becomes more beautiful." - Billie Mobayed
Kintsugi: the artful repair of damaged things.
American 18th century carved (and repaired) bowl.
I love the fact that Lawrence Carroll's canvases are stitched, patched, stapled and mended. Hester van Dapperen also slices through the canvas of her color field paintings and mends them.
"Mutilations of historical works in museums inspired me to cut in planes of color. The knife in cloth gives a tension and requires on-going effort of the painter. Sutures and operations with crooked needle and twine followed. The scars in combination with added paint become an integral part of the canvas. They lead the search for the essence behind the work". - Hester van Dapperen
Lea McComas became involved in the Peace Quilt challenge when she heard about a "call for solidarity of the women of the world to work together to defend and protect women in times of conflict and to empower women to be active agents in the peace process."
"My quilt began as a collage of photos collected over a decade of living, working, and traveling overseas. Many of the photos are my own. A friend who has traveled extensively as a medical volunteer contributed others. The photos were printed onto fabric, pieced together with scraps, and quilted in a very traditional manner. The quilt was then torn, cut, burned and shot; literally tearing families apart. Finally, a woman's hands were added to the top using fused applique and shown working to stop the destruction, mend the damage, and repair the vision." - Lea McComas
Thank you so much for sharing... Its a balm in my soul...
ReplyDeleteHugs
Dox...
Broken is definitely in the eye of the beholder, such gorgeous items . . . and the quilt is simply incredible. You have an amazing talent for finding such treasures.
ReplyDeletethese objects show the loveliest sense of care.
ReplyDeleteAn incredible post! So much "food" for the eyes, the soul and the brain. I'll visit the websites and blogs when I have enough time to enjoy the magical worlds they reveal...I like very much Claire Crompton's art pieces - they are charming, inventive and wear such a nice, cosy atmosphere!
ReplyDeleteI like how the Japanese percept the broken objects... It's true - once damaged, they have a story, that makes them unique and completely different from their numerous "twins". Especially if they have a special place in someone's heart, home or memory!
Tomorrow I'll look round about the house to look at the several broken and glued cups we have with different eyes!D
Thank you, Robyn, for the pleasure!:)
I love the Japanese ethos: repair = more beautiful than before. That could be applied to all areas of life.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous post, Robyn.
I love that little nugget of Japanese culture - had never heard it before!
ReplyDeletethank you for the new word
ReplyDeleteKintsugi
rolls beautifully off the tongue
great post and topic Robyn..
ReplyDeletekimonoboy has been one of my favorite haunts for quite a while now..
Love the white on white by Lawrence Carroll.
Hope you are well.
I'm sure that little bully boy is a big guy by now! Unfortunately, we had to let Dexter go this past summer.
that beautiful repaired tea cup by Claire Compton...so beautiful! and Kintsugi: with its definition...The Japanese do things so beautifully, keeping intact the soul of the piece. I love that older, broken, mended becomes more beautiful and precious.
ReplyDeleteJacky xox
Now when one of pottery pieces break I will look at them anew to see if I can mend them, so many feasts for the eyes here, thanks for the fresh look at world. As I was reading I was thinking of all the mended socks repaired by so many over the years and thinking there is something comforting about mending what one has.
ReplyDeleteI especially loved the repaired cup by Claire Crompton, I wonder if she is related.
ReplyDeleteantArtiste, so glad you enjoyed the post .... balm for the soul .... thank you :-)
ReplyDeleteKathryn, the quilt makes one pause and think.... which I suppose is the power of the piece.
Gwen, you've hit the nail on the head... the objects show a sense of care.
Rossichka, after seeing the beautifully mended Japanese bowls I started to look around the house with new eyes too.
Thanks Debrina, I was thinking along those lines too. Much like life.
Heather, I like that... a nugget of Japanese culture.
India, it certainly does :-)
Lisa, Digby has grown into a beautiful Bully. I had a feeling about Dexter and couldn't bring myself to ask. So sorry Lisa.
Jacky, Kintsagi and Wabi Sabi... beautiful words and concepts.
Linda, I was thinking of my mom..... sewing, mending meticulously. I'm afraid I
didn't follow in her footsteps.
Penny, I did wonder if you were related somehow.
R-mending is like stitching history and moments back together; Recycling is a bit like taking the history and moments and reforming them into a new life. I love both. Thanks for sharing. B
ReplyDeletewonderful. the quilt is especially touching but love them all!
ReplyDeleteRobyn, Such a wonderful post. I have a soft spot for worn and broken things, so I love all these mended wonders. Thank you.xoxo
ReplyDeleteAs so many others have already said, this is a wonderful post, Robyn! I love the idea of "mending" not only things but our hearts. Such great symbolism.
ReplyDeleteSo happy to have a moment to catch up with my blogging friends...
Such rich posts! Both visually and mentally. I've always like the term 'wabi sabi,' as it indicates time and age as well as imperfect. All good.
ReplyDeleteAll of this beautiful mending...I am glad to see the beauty in mended things. There was a time I saw "mended" as a flaw, something second rate.
ReplyDeleteI too am reminded of Mary Oliver's poem The Journey, and seeing in my mind's eye mended lives, my own included.
Thank you Robyn.
Thanks. I love it.
ReplyDeletehello robyn, i was here earlier, but, in a rush, did not have time to leave a comment. and that japanese bit of enlightenment has been with me all day. and by the way, i totally agree, "when something's suffered damage and has a history it becomes more beautiful"
ReplyDeletea beautiful post.
i think that's all, everything we do, mend.
ReplyDeleteI grew up around mending but it took years before I understood the beauty of the physical and spiritual need to mend to go on, whole but with scars and marks of repair.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beauty of a post Robyn, I love how you begin with the definition, and then add your own words to it. There are two bowls that my eyes keep on going back to, the one under your definition and the repaired 18th century carved bowl. Both have roughness and the soft. Thank you for this.
ReplyDeleteroxanne
Repair on this level is a feast for the eyes.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful collection. Drawn to the boro- that a piece of cloth is sacred and is not disposable is just so wonderful. Where have those days gone?
ReplyDeleteThis post has me thinking about how no one mends things anymore, we just throw them away... my grandmother used to darn socks when i was very little, and it's a completely different mindset. these artworks are exquisite. Thanks for reminding us that there is beauty and meaning in objects (and people) that are mended instead of thrown away.
ReplyDeletehi, i loved this post (have loved soo many, but this in particular) and have linked to it in my next post...thanks for all your wonderful gathering of internet art goodness and sharing your own process... i made a piece called the art of creative repair for an exhibition on family, and firmly believe in embellishing repairs, best use of the opportunity ;)
ReplyDeleteBarry, .... stitching history and taking us back to a simpler way of life perhaps. I vaguely remember a mending pile in my mom's sewing room.
ReplyDeleteLyle, glad you enjoyed the post.
Annie, I must admit there was a time when I disliked having broken things in my home, but now I make better use of them.
Karine, my first thought when thinking of mending is of someone sitting next to the fire quietly stitching and darning. It's a comforting thought.
Thanks Robin.
Leslie, I felt the same way and I'm not sure when I changed my mind but I think it was gradual, though I have always been drawn to aged, worn and patinaed things, especially wood.
Helena, thank you.
Rebeca, it's great to feel the history of an object.
Velma, indeed... a never ending process.
Mary Ann, I know what you mean. Now looking back and remembering my mom mending I feel comforted.
Roxanne, throughout Africa wooden bowls and gourds are mended with metal, cord and sinew. They become more beautiful with each mending.
Wim, enjoy!
Don, the Boro garment is spectacular isn't it?!
Sharmon, I was thinking along the same lines. It's very easy to throw broken things out, but I think about it before doing anything radical..... and have boxes of broken china and old blue jeans waiting for a rainy day.
Thanks birds sing artblog, your exhibition piece has peeked my curiosity.
Hi Marilyn! thank you.
I would just love to curl into that boro yogi, a place to feel warm & safe.
ReplyDeleteI love your definition of mend..and the images that go along.
ReplyDeletehi, not sure if my comment survived verification then, so sorry if this is a repeat!
ReplyDeletehttp://singingbirdartist.wordpress.com/2012/11/24/the-necessary-art-of-creative-repair/
thanks for all your inspiring posts and artwork, you rock!
As a lover of wabi sabi and Boro.. and the beauty of mended and repaired.. I love all your examples here. I learned a new Japanese word: Kintsugi - the artful repair of damaged things... love that concept.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the gathering of mended moments. I darn socks for fun, and needle felt fill holes in sweaters, patch pants and jackets, chairs and my broken heart after losing our baby daughter at birth. Writing this I wonder in how much my outward interest is a reflection of the unseen scars within. No wondering. I know. Love & Peace to you, light on your path, and thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete