Words Matter — Paula Elion

In 2021, I met Berlin-based artist and curator Dr. Birgit Szepanski when she invited me to participate in an exhibition at Kommunale Galerie in Charlottenburg, Berlin. We have stayed in touch ever since, and our connection has grown into a friendship.

Birgit’s artistic practice combines research, writing, photography and textiles, often bringing attention to overlooked women’s stories. We share an interest in feminist issues, memory and the histories of everyday objects.

One day, Birgit asked for my address in Stockholm. I knew she wanted to send me something, but I had no idea what to expect.

When the first package arrived, I was excited to find old fabrics inside. I have worked with second-hand textiles for years, and a small brown tablecloth immediately caught my attention. I combined it with a round piece I already had, embroidering flowers and the phrase Words matter.

Round embroidered cloth on a small brown tablecloth, stitched with flowers and the phrase Words matter, one word upright and the other upside down. — Words Matter - work in progress

Close-up of the word matter stitched in twisted brown and orange thread, surrounded by small embroidered flowers. — Words Matter - detail

The second package contained an unexpected note, written as if the tablecloth itself were speaking. I liked the idea and decided to stitch the entire message onto the fabric, using white, light blue and pink threads, the colours of the trans flag. This choice also connects to my ongoing interest in gender identity and transformation.

The message read:

Hi Paula,

Birgit picked me up and so
I'm on my way to you.

I was lying on the street and
you have to wash me. But otherwise I'm ok
and I hope you will do something with me ...

— Birgit Szepanski, as embroidered on the textile

White tablecloth with a blue scalloped border, its centre embroidered with Birgit’s handwritten note.

The two finished textiles on a wooden table beside Paula’s handwritten thank-you note to Birgit. — Final works with my thank you note to Birgit, on her table in Berlin

In our correspondence, Birgit asked me questions about discarded objects, childhood memories and my artistic practice. We talked about how family photographs, personal experiences and found materials find their way into my work.

For me, memory is another tool, just like paint or thread. I will never know the full history of these textiles, but I like imagining the lives they had before reaching me. When I embroider or paint on them, I feel I am continuing an existing story, creating new layers of meaning rather than starting from scratch.

I was really touched by Birgit’s kindness and the surprise she had prepared for me. What began as an unexpected gift from a friend became the starting point for new artworks and conversation.

Explore Birgit's work: Website · Instagram

The studio experience

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