soft sculpture with bead embroidery, 2020
To assuage my fears during isolation, I started the project
My Quarantine Friend. They are a genderless, beaded self
who requires patience, a slow pace and calming nature. My
friendship with them began during the creation process
and continues afterwards.
My quarantine friend drinking Turkish coffee with their tailor, Saime, 2022
My quarantine friend sewing themself with Saime’s sewing machine, 2022
My quarantine friend watching a Hindi soap opera with Saime, 2022
There was a tiny pink idea at first. Then, thoughts became things... to make me calm.
Everything started with an eye. You were seeing before listening and talking.
Suddenly depth was introduced to you, but one eye of yours wasn’t following the other.
Your nose was the monolith of inanimate beings.
Your smile was overly joyous, not your kinda…
Then your famous unsure, in pain, yet unlighted kind of smile comes. Your gorgeous oxymorons smile was hiding behind the little pillows that you weren’t fond of.
Then your blue trinity must have remained from your past reincarnations, gracefully shined against the red.
Fine day at the beach with my quarantine friend