L'arbre de Vie

Design by Christine Henry

Like a metaphor, this fabric tree speaks to us of the bond that unites mankind to the vegetal world, that essential ingredient of textiles. In the tropics, bark is beaten until it becomes soft and supple, in Western Africa hibiscus, in India jute, or in Asia certain types of nettles…Flowers, leaves and fruit all lavish their colours. A portrait of the world, genealogy of techniques and resources, these are a bit of what these lines contain. Each leaf is decorated with geometric patterns symbolising a culture, belief, or social status…and whose complexity at times conjures up a sort of magic protecting from harm or summoning luck.