First week of August we run a workshop in São Paulo Brazil at Espaço Vitrine.
There was a beautiful coincidence.
Ten years ago we were making dolls in Birmingham and one of the makers showed me on his mobile a photo of an incredible artwork – many small people made of ice sitting on the stairs of a public building. I was amazed by the beauty of it. I thought it was made by a Nordic artist. He showed me because he felt a connection between the dolls and those small people.
In my recent trip to Brazil I was invited to an event about art and politics. When I entered in the room I saw photos on the wall of those little figures made of ice. The event was in the studio of the amazing Brazilian artist who created them. I was delighted to have met her and realise the guessed nordic artist was in fact a very tropical one. We talked about our work and she invited me to run this workshop.
Solange, Leonor, Cintia, Wanya, Sarah, Eliana, Laura e Néle joined us. We made 9 dolls.
‘What delights is the simplicity of the experience: we arrive, chat, sit down, sew, and—before we know it opens a portal to an inner dreamlike universe. There is much poetry in fabrics and fillings of “dreamt” pillows. There is a sense of purification in crafting beings out of this material of dreams. I left the gathering feeling light and replenished.’
‘I loved the concept of placing dreams inside the little doll that represents us. Our bodies and souls are filled with them, what are we without our dreams? What do we want if we have no dreams? I loved the workshop, the explanations, and the connection we had with the work.’
‘Today I had a very special dream. It was a dream of reunion, forgiveness, and abundant love. I was in another city, but I rushed over to be part of this heartwarming, loving workshop.’
‘I loved the experience of filling the doll with dreams. Regina is very creative and loving. She gave us this wonderful experience and participants felt a strong sense of connection.’
‘Filling a dream doll is like filling life with dreams. Living itself is a dream.’
‘I’ve done this exercise before and each time it’s a different experience. New figures, new dreams, new interactions. Thank you once again. I’m happy to have participated today.’
‘It was an experience of encountering oneself. Gratitude.’
‘Calm, serenity, harmony, emotion, and depth.’
We spent a lovely afternoon together with meaningful conversations and connections. We had a gorgeous full moon on the ceiling blessing us all the way along. I’m really grateful for the all the makers and for Néle and her little figures who opened their studio for d&h dolls.
Thank you so much!
