Material love

Medium: Cowhide leather, buttons, digital embroidery and plaster
Year: 2018
Size: 120 x 120 cm
Edition: Unique artwork
Shipment: Assembled

About: 

The multi-handle handbag with hands coming through is inspired by a verse from the Quran saying: ‘’Make not thy hand tied to thy neck, nor stretch it forth to its utmost reach’’ 

It is fascinating how the phrase is a description of common consumer behavior, especially in the context of marriage and dowry gifting. Marriage celebrations are strongly associated to luxury, display and consumerism and as a bride prepares for married life, she spends her dowry money on luxury items like handbags etc. 

The elements of embroidery on leather represent brand logos and emojis as crucial parts of contemporary dowries, as those are usually shown on social media and sent on whatsapp groups as a form of celebration. The emojis are associations of love, excitement and marriage. The installation piece describes the reality of the struggle to be between overly consuming vs. non consumption.