Chapter 1: The Traveler's Map

All works are hand stitched and hand embroidered

Inspired by my mother’s letters to her penpals when she was a young girl in the 70s and 80s, as well as her yearning for connection with individuals from far and near, The Traveler’s Map is a blueprint of this journey and adventure through life that she has embarked on with these different encounters. The Map is representative of the traces that we leave as we create shared experiences and memories, thus creating a unique imaginative space and time wherein only we exist, and subsequently a utopic map of our lives.

The Map presented is a fictional map that has been created through an amalgamation of the different maps of the places where the letters were sent and written from. The Map itself has been broken down into three parts which represent a yearning for connection and illustrate the idea of reaching out. Each piece calls out to the other to interact with it or “complete” it thus mirroring the way human interaction is constructed.

In order to visually encapsulate this idea of interwoven connections through fabric, I began to look into the idea of weaving and and the physicality of tapestries. I deliberately chose jute because it has a visible warp and weft, but also because it is a natural fabric whose earthy feel would add to the idea of a map and the spatial view of a territory.

Additionally, the use of coordinates and jute rope in The Traveler’s Map make reference to sailing and nautical adventure stories. The viewer is encouraged to decipher the coordinates in order to situate where the Traveler lives. In doing this, they, in turn, become the Traveler and are also embarking on this journey.

Finally, the letters have been represented here with the patterns found on air envelopes, which have been embroidered to give the work more texture.

Installation view, "Woven Sanctuaries", Rele, Los Angeles, May 3 - June 15, 2024. Artworks © Yoma Emore. Image: Courtesy of Rele. Photos: Evan Walsh

The Traveler's Map: Odyssey, 2023. Acrylic, fabric dye and embroidery on jute. 183x 157cm.
Artworks © Yoma Emore. Image: Courtesy of Rele. Photos: Evan Walsh

The Traveler's Map: Embarkment, 2023. Acrylic, fabric dye and embroidery on jute. 190.5x 157cm.
Artworks © Yoma Emore. Image: Courtesy of Rele. Photos: Evan Walsh

The Traveler's Map: Dénouement, 2023. Acrylic, fabric dye and embroidery on jute. 188x 157cm.
Artworks © Yoma Emore. Image: Courtesy of Rele. Photos: Evan Walsh