April/May 2002 - New Work - The Open Hand

Bead embroidery on leather cut into the shape of a hand. The piece is also backed with leather and a wire frame has been sandwiched in between. The frame enabled me to bend the piece into a natural curve which is difficult to see in the photographs.

Largely autobiographical, each part of The Open Hand, from the peridot (my birthstone) to the mouse surrounded by 2 pink and one blue bead (representing my children), has some particular meaning or symbolism. I have tried to represent those things that are or have been important in my life.