Rope + Hearts

This rope-shaped heart is inspired by the intricate patterning of ropes found in European heraldic symbols as well as Chinese knotting techniques. For me, coming out of 2+ years of quarantine, their intertwining shapes began to take on new meaning: interconnectedness. Originally, this shape was cast by an artist in the Dark Ages as a device of distinction for a particular family. On fabrics for flags and robes, perhaps. No matter how regal these rope ornaments can be, the rope shaped heart in repetition and interlocking is for me a sign of hope and regeneration for individuals and families out of dark times. After 2+ years of zoom calls and social pods, they now feel like a distant past. Not to be forgotten.

I like to draw from life. Arranging the ropes into hearts, I grew mesmerized by the braiding of the rope itself, as well as the knots meandering pattern. I attempted to extract and simplify the lines and shapes for textile design. Graphic and watercolor converted to digital design.