These lovely maps are available at https://www.etsy.com/shop/ilgattoselvatico?ref=si_shop. I’m also working on more USA maps, pillows, and other geographical regions so keep checking in.
Penelope Reichley: Recent Work
Selected Drawings and Embroidered Pieces from the Greek Goddesses and the Signore Romane Series.
From January 10th to March 1st @ The Pine Street Barbershop (334 S. Pine St, Richmond, VA)
This is what my work looks like at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond Gallery. It’s on view now until August 5.
Signore Romane
Artist Statement
When I was living in Rome, I started noticing the elderly ladies who lived there.It’s hard not to, they are fabulous and the city is crawling with them. I was delighted by and often coveted their granny shoes, fur coats, turbans, and fedoras. I realized that where I seek out pieces of “vintage clothing” like that to add to my wardrobe because it’s fashionable, they just continued dressing the way they did in the 60s, 70s or 80s, as if frozen in time. Then I started thinking about them. Really thinking about what it must be like to be them. They are from another era, that’s why they dress that way, but it doesn’t end there. Not only are their clothes from another time, their thoughts belong to another era. What was it like to be a young woman in the 60s? Many, if not all of them were housewives, casalinghe, expected to get married and raise a family. Oppressed. Do they regret not having a career the way my husband’s nonna does. Did they spend their entire lives taking care of others and somewhere down the line they forgot about themselves? Were they able to be themselves, fulfill there dreams, love who they truly loved?
I chose to embroider these signore romane, because embroidery and other fiber crafts were a tradition “women’s work.” This body of work is a tribute to women, particularly women of the past, not just from Rome but from the world, who carried an enormous burden with elegance, dignity, and grace.
New Los Angeles, California Necklace by Il Gatto Selvatico available @ http://www.etsy.com/shop/ilgattoselvatico
Romantic hand embroidered wall hangings by il gatto selvatico @ http://www.etsy.com/shop/ilgattoselvatico
