Around the tablecloth

More than a decade ago, I found a vintage template for a tablecloth embroidery at a flea market in my birth city of Łódź, Poland. The floral cross-stitch pattern is screen-printed in blue on linen and partially filled in by an unknown stranger. This object carries not only the story and intentions of that anonymous person but also the expectation of following a prescribed pattern to achieve a specific outcome. It evokes memories of family gatherings, tradition, domesticity, and the quiet care work of women.

Over four sessions, a diverse group of participants in Berlin and Wrocław met around this tablecloth. We used our collective crafting time to center conversations about mental health, identiy, place, and the ways we interpret and respond to traumas.

With ZUSA What’s Next residency
Berlin, Germany and Wrocław, Poland
2024