Stitched Castle
“Stitched Castle” was an art school project I was working on while studying at Andrews Osborne Academy. It had not even been one year since I had left home (I was born and lived in Gjirokaster, Albania until the age of 17), meaning that I was intensively nostalgic about my homeland.
Gjirokaster (the town I’m from) is characterized by a large castle that’s placed on top of a mountain and it resembles a ship in birds-eye view. To enhance its characteristics, I have painted it surrounded by seawater and thick waves.
As I was done with the painting and I put my signature on, a crazy idea crossed my mind: “Cut the canvas with a blade cutter.”
I was tired of painting my town’s landscapes and promoting its monumental cultural heritage and its grandiose architecture while hiding the actual reality.
My town’s historical buildings were falling apart. It is a UNESCO site, however not much investment was being made and because of certain ownership laws, it was hard for any conservation work to be made on the museum houses, the castle, cobble-stoned streets, etc.
I felt like a cut-through painting would most likely represent the town’s situation better. “Tear it apart,” I said to myself. And I did so.
Further on, I picked a wounded red thread, sewing needles and I stitched the painting. I healed it. But the marks were still there. Isn’t the preserving process almost the same? It’s intended to bring a monument to its original state, however, a few details or materials might change along the way.
Gjirokaster will, is being healed. Just like my painting.
By all of us who love the town, its castle, traditions, and what it offers to the world.
