Once in a Blue Moon by Mo Orkiszewski 2018
Moon Unit I
W 29cm x H 9.5cm (starry ladder 3.5cm)
embroidered vintage electric blue leather over papier maché mold, 1.5mm black leather cord coiled & stitched with black linen thread over papier maché mold, vintage white glove leather with linen thread stars, whisper silk organza rungs
Moon Unit II
H 5cm W 10cm (retractable ladder 25cm)
embroidered vintage electric blue suede over papier maché mold, 1.5mm black leather cord coiled and stitched with black linen thread over papier maché mold, bamboo rungs, waxed & knotted DMC cotton, vintage glass beads, carved bone beads, lead fishing weights, nickel silver links, lapis lazuli
Artist’s Statement : Once in a Blue Moon the air tingles with portents, there’s a trembling in the light that beckons out of the corner of the eye with an invitation to take a spin deep into the unknown. Wrought with dark humour, high hopes and slow stitching lunacy, these vessels explore the surface of the moon both real and imagined. The ladders provide a way in and perhaps more importantly a way out.
(a blue moon is when two Full Moons land in one calendar month)
Bio : Sydney based artist Mo Orkiszewski is a graduate of Sydney College of the Arts and horticulturist with a passion for tending and mending our beautiful broken world. Working across a broad range of media and materials, stitching, folding, assemblage, collage, drawing, engraving, sculpting, collecting, Mo’s work is bridging the alternative culture and amulets of 20th century mysticism towards a 21st century metaphorical interpretation. Her current body of work, ‘Braille for the Soul’ is gathering a global community of stitchers and makers to dream of a world where love is the answer. Mo has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions nationally and internationally with work held in private collections in Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, UK, Germany, France and The Netherlands.
represented by Artsite Gallery Sydney, Australia
photos courtesy of Madeleine Tuckfield-Carrano Artsite Gallery
this may well be tempting the fates but it’s Friday the 13th and I feel like celebrating!
It's Crow Time 
Mo, they are beyond beautiful!
(((Rene))) it worked!
I love the ladders! Well done, Mo. xx
(((Di))) isn’t it funny how Moon Unit II waited so patiently all these months for me to see that it needed the retractable ladder!
Mo, they are gorgeous ❤
(and you did very well with all the artist statements in your "braille for the soul" !)
I regret it very much that I won't be able to look at this (and the rest) in person
(almost would travel all the way down there, HA !)
(((Els))) we really need a Star Trek style Matter Transfer Unit, it is the 21st C after all!
Scotty …. !
Mo, your artist statement is so inviting because it so richly engages us into the magical mystery and artistry of these spheres of whimsy. The invitation into the unknown blue moon journey is made all the more intimate and connective by the stellar illumination of these moons, the ladder that beckons, and the glow that reaches across the cosmos and says,come along, there is wonder and understanding here….
(((Marti))) it took days and days of word wrangling but got there in the end!
Absolutely beautiful, Mo! As is your artist statement – so inspirational. I’ve been lying low for a few months, but it’s wonderful to pop up my head to see this wonderful post.
(((Carol))) good to see you and thanks for all the encouragement through the years!
Beautiful work and it looks just right- that moment when it all falls into place is magical but the road to get there is rocky and nerve wracking! Well done. Happy celebrations!
(((Louise))) this was a wild and long rollercoaster of a ride and worth every minute!
Mo…. i have no words for this beauty.
So friday 13 keeps me silent………………………….
(((Martine))) namaste
Be Still My Heart. x0 >
(((Nancy))) Madeleine took such good photographs!
MC – brilliant finished piece. B
(((B))) it worked, am quietly very excited!
Mo! Your words are perfect and tranporting. Love for all that is you and blue, ox
(((Hazel))) am feeling quietly excited that this one will fly!
Over the moon so much beauty…love you
(((Yvette))) for the love of the moon and that electric blue!
oh this is breathtakingly awesome, and your artist’s statement is both enlightening and full of humour
(((Saskia))) it took quite awhile to get there but it works!