The Women at the Tomb

"The Women at the Tomb" Hand-dyed and embellished fabric, mixed media. Laurie Kathleen Clark

In a recent "purge" project, where I have been reducing the amount of clutter in my home and studio, I came across this mixed media piece that I created a few years ago.
 It has been taking up residence, along with several other pieces like it, under a bed for quite some time. I decided to bring it out and share it here in hopes that I can then part with it and let it find a new home where it may bring someone else as much joy as its creation has brought me.

The story behind the piece begins below.

"The Women at the Tomb":      Domestic Icons held the most sacred place in the home. A child would be presented with his Patron Saint at birth and given this icon when he left home. Icons were carried on journeys in processions and used for private devotions. Often, their construction included several panels and opened to reveal small shrines. 
This piece was inspired not only by domestic icons but also the Medieval Books of Hours. These highly illuminated and personalized prayer books were often custom made for wealthy medieval women who used them in their private devotions. Illustrations in Books of hours included beautiful paintings of flowers, insects and natural elements. Their pages were filled with imagery elaborating the theme of the prayers. 
Here, I included some of my favorite women of the Bible, Martha, Lydia, and the women at the tomb. Typically, Saint Martha has been maligned for her hyper-concern for order, work and the material world. That concern is represented by her devotion to the sacred ordinary and hospitality represented by the mop bucket she holds.
Saint Lydia was a merchant of purple cloth from Philippi, precious and regal, yet also a symbol of hospitality. Known to have opened her home to the Apostle Paul, Lydia welcomed many early Christians, inviting them to prayer.