Iris Steensma - printmaker: Beads
In 2001 I travelled to Iran and Syria. In every town there was a bazaar and we spent many hours in them. Each small shop specialised - spices, coins, pocket watches, In the jewellery shops they sold silver necklaces with brightly coloured stones. All prints are 19.5 x 12 cm, and are hand-coloured Linocuts. |
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Palmyra This hand-painted lino-print is based on a necklace I bought in the small town of Palmyra. Nearby is the site of the ancient city which was built in the Syrian desert. Remains of the many ancient buildings are still standing. You can ride a camel through Hadrian's Arch, past the temples, market, theatre. Among the ruins a shepherd was grazing his flock of sheep. |
Shiraz The city of Shiraz is in the warm southern region of Iran. Bougainvillea and orange blossom were flowering everywhere. There are many nomads who travel though this region in April and May. Although the women wore black chadors, underneath you could see brightly coloured skirts embroidered in gold. The Shiraz bazaar is like a maze and this hand-painted lino print is based on a necklace I bought after becoming hopelessly lost. | 
Damascus This hand-painted lino print is based on a necklace which I bought in a small shop near the walls of the great Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. The owner was a Christian. The Pope was due to visit Damascus in a few weeks. Everywhere in the old Christian quarters of the city were large posters with pictures of both the Pope and the Umayyad Mosque and the words "Have a vision, visit Damascus." | 
Syrian This hand-painted lino print is based on another necklace I bought in the small town of Palmyra. Both the town and the ancient city can be seen from a nearby hill, surrounded by the desert. Go up at dusk and as the sun sets and the sky turns a pearly grey the muezzin calls the people to prayer and a multitude of voices rises up. |
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