The Persian holiday of Shab-e Yalda or Yalda Night falls on the longest night of winter/winter solstice. On this, the longest, coldest, darkest night, we gather with friends and family to stay up late and talk, laugh, snack on dried fruits and nuts, pomegranates, watermelon (lush red fruits to symbolize health, vitality and the sunlight ahead) and read Hafez (practicing bibliomancy through the ancient tradition of Fal-e Hafez where we ask Hafez for guidance before turning to a page of his poetry at random to divine meaning). Shab-e Yalda is a time to show those we love that even in the darkest of times, the vibrant, warm light of the sun is just around the corner - in the depths of the frozen, hard earth, seeds are germinating and preparing to burst forth with new life. This holiday always makes me think of the millions of deaths and rebirths we experience in our lives - whether it’s a moon cycle, a job, friendships, our sense of self, the seasons, a relationship, or even each day-into-night-into-day - this piece shows the pomegranate in all stages of bloom & fruition with a hand in each world - death & decay // grown & blossom.
Original art by Kita (that’s me!) Black print on sage/seafoam blue/green canvas, black wood/cord hanging hardware, 8.5x15" not including hanging cord or fringe. Individually cut then sewn on my mom's 1930's Singer sewing machine. Kita goods are screenprinted in my Chicago home studio with every attempt at being a good steward to the earth. Ink is water based, items are printed in very small batches to avoid waste, using eco-friendliest cleaning/screenprinting materials, compounds & practices.
The Persian holiday of Shab-e Yalda or Yalda Night falls on the longest night of winter/winter solstice. On this, the longest, coldest, darkest night, we gather with friends and family to stay up late and talk, laugh, snack on dried fruits and nuts, pomegranates, watermelon (lush red fruits to symbolize health, vitality and the sunlight ahead) and read Hafez (practicing bibliomancy through the ancient tradition of Fal-e Hafez where we ask Hafez for guidance before turning to a page of his poetry at random to divine meaning). Shab-e Yalda is a time to show those we love that even in the darkest of times, the vibrant, warm light of the sun is just around the corner - in the depths of the frozen, hard earth, seeds are germinating and preparing to burst forth with new life. This holiday always makes me think of the millions of deaths and rebirths we experience in our lives - whether it’s a moon cycle, a job, friendships, our sense of self, the seasons, a relationship, or even each day-into-night-into-day - this piece shows the pomegranate in all stages of bloom & fruition with a hand in each world - death & decay // grown & blossom.
Original art by Kita (that’s me!) Black print on sage/seafoam blue/green canvas, black wood/cord hanging hardware, 8.5x15" not including hanging cord or fringe. Individually cut then sewn on my mom's 1930's Singer sewing machine. Kita goods are screenprinted in my Chicago home studio with every attempt at being a good steward to the earth. Ink is water based, items are printed in very small batches to avoid waste, using eco-friendliest cleaning/screenprinting materials, compounds & practices.
