New CiPi exhibition 1st July – 10th August 2017
Cnr Mostyn & Hargraves Sts Castlemaine
Closing Afternoon Tea 3-4pm Saturday 5th August
Monsieur J.B. Pietri was a French Technocrat who worked as the Contoleur des Peches de l’Indochine during the 1940’s in IndoChina (see map).
He saw the way of life changing irrevocably for the fishermen and their families who worked along the rivers and on the vast coastlines. Using pencil and pen, he documented their sailing craft and culture both visually and in incredible written detail before the craft were replaced by the most part with motorised versions or disappeared in entirety.
I have been inspired by the beautiful shapes of the floating craft that he depicts in his book Voiliers d’Indochine (Sailboats of Indochina). Using the embroidered line, appliqué and cut outs in leather of M. Pietri’s drawings, I follow an imaginary journey and celebrate the spirit of his work.
Voiliers d’Indochine is an extremely rare book written in archaic French (1949). In 2006 a group of North American wooden boat enthusiasts worked on an English translation so it could be more easily accessed. I’ve been able to access their work through a blog on Vietnamese boats.
Our journey continues with little boat brooches available for sale. 3 silhouettes from M.Pietris work, laser cut from ply on a white oval disc.
