Spiders, Louise Bourgeois and Socks

Following on yesterday's musing about sashiko, an art form and a repair method, I've been looking again at Louise Bourgeois, and her relationship with textiles. Here's a kid's book, great learning piece for adults too

She's mostly known for enormous sculptures, such as the spider figures named Maman, but she came to them later in life, after a long period of working in freeform weaving and restoration, literally using the fabric items she owned as her art materials.

She grew up with the family tapestry restoration workshop, her mother the chief restorer, the human equivalent of the spider, joining and creating and repairing woven structures.  

The spider sculptures refer to her mother who died when Louise was still a student, and whose influence on her art was lifelong

It's a recognition that the spider, patient, wise, skilled,  is a great weaver, who will repair a damaged web as well as weave a new one. 

I hate to clear away the spiderwebs currently growing under my plant tables, though it's necessary. And they're back, repaired, in a couple of days. There's so much to learn from the skills and approach of the spider.

Charlotte's Web has a spider as the title character.

And her description as not only a good writer but a true friend? Words to aspire to!

Meanwhile outside,  the fence workers have been scrambling about out there, reminding me very much of those miniature dioramas we were looking at the other day.

While, back in my workshop, the sofa, here's the current state of the Sock.

This is a work of self denial on my part, since I dislike these colors, but a lot of people like them and they're what I was given, so okay. I might even grow to like them, but I wouldn't bet on it. Anyway they'll get my best efforts.

Happy day everyone. Remember Ukraine still needs our help and support.