No Place Like Home
It is the theme of an exhibition at the contemporary art space, Queen Street Gallery, in South Wales, dedicated to The Wizard of Oz. The story of Dorothy’s journey to find her way back to Kansas, overcoming various challenges, served as inspiration for this piece. And, of course, there’s something magical about the shoes in the story.
This exhibition gave me the perfect opportunity to bring to life a project I’ve envisioned since my time as a student: creating a pair of shoes. Given the theme of “Home,” it was essential that these shoes carried more meaning than mere decoration. They are my tribute to the traditional Russian pearl embroidery technique.
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These shoes represent the traditional way of Russian Pearl embroidery:
“Pearl Shoes” is a tribute to the rich tradition of Russian pearl embroidery, incorporating the craftsmanship of the “Seating” technique, where white cotton cords secure each pearl bead in place. Adorned with natural shell pearls, the shoes exude an heirloom quality. Handmade intricate contour cords, crafted from silver metal thread, provide both structure and refinement. Created for the “No Place Like Home” exhibition, this piece reflects the artist’s personal journey and heritage, imbuing the shoes with both cultural significance and the narrative of craftsmanship passed through generations.
