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In Morocco, moushrabiyas or geometrical screens keep Muslim women hidden from view. These screens allow women to observe their surroundings without themselves being seen.

When making an Artists’ Book with this beautiful young lady, I asked her in sign language if she had some scissors. She took me to her room where she flicked on the TV. A static zig zag pattern filled the screen. The room was set up for her family, three outfits hung on rope across one corner of the room. We tore the sheet of paper, folded it and sewed it together with a piece of thread we found. I wondered what this girls’ future was going to be. This idea was the impetus for my book.  Zellig, also spelled Zellige, is a collage of patterns making up the tile decoration in Morocco. When making the book I used a collage of my work made up of my poems, paintings, drawings and photography.

Iris printing, on Somerset 175 gram soft white, by Urban Digital Color.

Typography and letterpress printing by Norman Clayton One Heart Press.

A limited edition of twenty copies and three artists proofs
Bound by John DeMerritt, Emeryville.
Copyright by Carla Trefethen Saunders
San Francisco, California 2000 $750.00

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Original sketches on arches 140wt. Rives BFK

Xerox and ink jet on vellum, watercolor

Caran d’ache crayons, pen and ink, gouache, dry pigment from Morocco,

Original poems by the artist

Accordion 8 x 8 inches opens up to 8 x 80 inches

I

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Lantern

burning

song

flickers

into

darkness

dizzy

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Morning Writing

Wash out all

those ghosts

cobwebs

worrywarts

black cloud critters

chattering

like monkeys

in your swollen

brain

swollen brain filled

with piston-like

repetition

it’s wrong

it’s wrong

it’s wrong

not good enough

for who?

for tinman

looking for his heart?

wash out all

those ghosts

cobwebs

worrywarts

and black cloud critters

chattering

like monkeys

in your swollen

brain

quickly

lay your thoughts

out on the page

protect those tender shoots

of pale green

close the book

then walk away.

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After Rousseau’s Sleeping Gypsy

Warm breath

soft nose

nuzzled against my cheek.

Secure under the watch of my friend

I dream of a place faraway

crowded

lush

large leaves

animals peeking out.

Is it scary in there?

Or am I supposed

to say

“Oh, that is lovely.”

The Wind Horse, shown on the the imprint of a prayer flag is a luck-bringing symbol. This horse can bring good luck, life force, health, influence and merit. On his back is the Flaming Jewel, a spiritual warrior, capable of fulfilling all wishes. The spiritual warrior is carried past the many obstacles leading into the sacred world. The word for Wind Horse (Lungta) has come to mean luck.

I found the wood block in Thimpu, when I was snooping around the shops near the contemporary art school. Using printers ink, and stamps on mulberry paper I made up some small pieces. I started to make an limited edition of five Artist’s Books on mulberry paper. They are scrolls about 62″ high. Now there are only four.  I tore up one last week while working on an idea. The torn pieces may be incorporated in the finished product. This print shown above may be added to one of the scrolls. It’s a work in progress.  (As usual click on the image to see it bigger)

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Listen

Alcohol painted eye

recites garish truth

Hot chilies, fresh

ginger and pepper shout.

Green cardamom pods sizzle,

coriander and cumin crackle.

Red chilies roast above

the charcoal fire.

Yogurt is whisked.

Devotion

Temple dancers shadow smoke,

pierce woven sunlight.

Blessings balance fierce tongues:

worship spills saffron song.

Priests prepare flowers and cloth.

Fresh flowers and food are brought.

Clanging, shouting, dark and light,

sweet sandalwood, incense burnt.

Tradition wrapped crowds chase

autumn silver throne.

Lord Shiva and Parvati are put to bed.

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Driving to Hotel Hallo Coca Cola / Cow Dust Hour

Birla power

Tata trucks

Leaf plates stitched

Earth swept

sunlit

barefoot

chili

Saris

goats

monkeys and a pig

Dark skin

between

coconut palm

Thursday

wires

dust

electricity

Two bullocks

idli

a Honda bike

Bindies

and

bangles

men dressed

in white

Darkness falls

headlights

when

An evening lamp

is lit.