ցավդ տանեմ - I take your pain; mixed media (textile, wool, photography transfer)
220 x 320 cm
With love for the people of Artsakh who lost their homes.
In September 2023 over 100,000 indigenous people of Artsakh were forcibly displaced from their homes, and the land now falls under the control and administration of occupying forces, with the region being transformed into a nature reserve.
ցավդ տանեմ (I take your pain) is a deeply affectionate Armenian phrase expressing love, care, and sympathy. It is embroidered in the center of the object which itself represents the traditional Armenian way of making wool blankets. With the use of sheep wool and cotton fabric it is quilted in the original manner, following the rectangular shape. It is common for every Armenian family to own several of these blankets and mattresses, which are typically crafted by the women of the household.
The object is composed of multiple layers of textile and wool, forming a mosaic of fabrics sourced from my collection of vintage scraps and family garments. It connects to my heritage (My family originates from the village of Togh (Տող) in the Hadrut region, Artsakh.), my current residence, my place of birth, and the lost land that forever holds my heart and soul.
