Dress Poems
For 1000 Patronen, Ntiense Eno Amooquaye was invited by curators ‘Wit.h’ to exhibit hand screen printed works on linen and a printed silk dress. These works created the setting for her performance of a newly published collection of ‘Dress Poems’. Her poem ‘The Model’ addresses the image of the fashion model, ‘Standing on the stage/ She is Juliet/ Reading her own script.’ The second poem ‘Flax like an Ocean’ explores themes from Amooquaye's wide reading about the history of linen and lace production and also the shared history of Europe, in particular the figure of Matilda of Flanders who became Queen of England in 1051.
The Model
Neckline are diamonds
The image of the model is posing
Bending her shoulders like a curtain
Silky
Fans
The shape of the leaf
Beauty products
The reflection on the woman's body
She sees the sunshine through the window
Standing on the stage
She is Juliet
Reading her own script.
Flax like an Ocean
Matilda of Flanders
1031 to 1083
The Queen of England
Wearing her own robe
It floats back
Brooch is holding flowered gold
Jewels are shaped like
Eyes
They have colours red ruby,
Sapphire blue
Hands to work on lace
Threading
The shape joined
Together
Dress Poems Film
Bobbins are twisting
Pattern nets
When I saw
What happened
The century
Back in the days
Found the boxes of veils and
Robes to wear
Proposals put
On dress and ring
Hem to needle
The pattern is still life
Work as portrait
Jewel dress
Paradise bird wings
Against the background
And balance wall to wall
Side by side
In the hiding place
Tapestry sew in and out
Silent letters flow like
A river
The light of the shadow
Becoming heavyweight
Drop like lightening as
Strong wave throwing
Empty dress is loose
Cut less moving
To breathe and kiss
And to move up and
Down
To make room
In silent move slowly
Travelling on the body
And hold side by side and forward
Gently
With the hair putting hands
Through up and down
Pin to stow and prick
To wear
Spinning wheel thoughts
Having memories
Having a word
Forever with both rings
Union to have a flag
For life and future love
Flax like an ocean
Planted with seed below
The earth is among
Linseed stone lemons
Coloured brazil brown
Silk blue flowers
Tall green stems
Five petals
Reflect the light
The name of the colourful
Bird is paradise
Beautiful one
Earth to compassion
Fallen to catch and make
Palms made of coal
Tonic forest streams
Of love make one word
Waterfall.
