UN Quilt’s Turkish Patch

Antique fabric, silk and moiré, 50 x 50 cm, Artist’s Collection

I made this handmade patch to represent Turkey in the UN Friendship Quilt described in my Artist Statement. The completed quilt has pieces from more than 100 countries. The central embroidered square in my patch is cut from an antique Turkish belt. Because depicting human images is controversial in Islam, traditional embroidery usually depicts nature, mostly flowers. Squares and triangles in matching colors surround the embroidery, with blue “evil eye” beads sewn onto them. (Pink and purple are popular Turkish colors.) The purple frame is encircled with traditional lace that was my grandmother’s. Called oya (which also happens to be my name), it’s sewn with a very fine needle. An Anatolian women’s handicraft, oya are frequently used to trim scarves.

Standing in front of the Friendship Quilt with my quilting teacher Müfide Abra. Created to celebrate the UN’s 50th Anniverary, it was on display for a week in Istanbul’s prestigious Atatürk Cultural Center.