Yesterday I caught the train into the Big Smoke to see Jane Bodnaruk’s That was Then: This is Now and listen to her artist talk. Her interrogation of the now combined with exquisite stitching honours the past so beautifully, matching the thread colours of the finely stitched vintage tray cloths from early last century with words from the news of the Covid epidemic from 2020 to 2022. Her integrity of line and depth of thought is matchless, this body of work needs to be housed in a museum for posterity.
Jane produced this catalogue for the show documenting the nearly 50 vintage tray cloths she stitched into
back cover of the catalogue and intro below
Jane talked about her work with such ease and grace
her placement of the texts compliment
the colours and forms of the the past perfectly
feeling inspired best get back to stitching my Old Man Crow!
It's Crow Time 
Dear Mo
Thankyou for forwarding… So, beautiful the embroidery (flowers, colour & word shading) I agree the art would be at home in a museum. And here I am waiting for my RAT test to determine my day.
Been thinking of you- I’ll be in touch soon💜
(((Debbie))) I hope you’re ok and can enjoy your Sunday!
Outstanding! (((Mo)))
(((Nancy))) love the way Jane matched the many different shades of green used in the past & the stitch she invented for the digital font is so now!
What an incredible exhibition that must be. Jane’s stitching is exquisite.
(((Karen))) Jane is brilliant, a scientist, artist, mother and truly generous soul!
Thank you for visiting Mo. Always lovely to see you, and talk to you about my work
(((Jane))) you are such a star, thanks again for making this most poignant & powerful body of work!
Thanks for sharing Mo – I agree with how she says we are already forgetting. It feels like global amnesia of a sort – moving right along, nothing to see here. I am intrigued by our behaviours and coping mechanisms. Stitching it makes it solid and real; and I hope somebody somewhere collects it as a record. Stunning.
(((Fiona))) this body of work reminded me of your Covid fragments and hankie projects !
MC – amazing amount of patient work; and the making of strong and poignant statements. B
(((Barry))) there is such deep integrity in this body of work on so many levels