Where in the World is Portlandia?

In Portland, Oregon, there is statue, named Portlandia, which I like to think is famous. She is the second largest copper statue in America. Only the Statue of Liberty is larger. Why then was she  placed on a second story facade so that you really have to know of her existence and then search for it to see it.

Here is a close up so you don't have to squint.

There was a contest to write a piece of poetry about Portlandia and what it mean to the city. This was the winning entry. I like it as much as the statue.

Portlandia

She kneels down
and from the quietness
of copper
reaches out.

We take that stillness
Into ourselves,
And somewhere
deep in the earth
our breath
becomes her city.

If she could speak
this is what
she would say:
Follow that breath
Home is the journey we make.
That is how the world
knows where we are

by Ronald Talney.

Famous/Unknown

 

Two very different images taken in Ho Chi Mihn City formerly known as Saigon.  The first is a statue of Ho Chi Mihn - a former Vietnamese Communist revolutionary leader, Prime Minister and President.  The second of a rubbish collector going about their business in the city.

A piece of work/ a piece about a worker

Another post before the next prompt comes up tomorrow.

Famous -
Here is a piece I made in a series about people important to Elizabeth the First. It was sort of a textile journal 'as if made by her'.

This particular piece is my take on a portrait of Mary Queen of Scots. I love the gown she was wearing and would have really liked to recreate it! But you can only store so many unworn costumes. So, this journal quilt fulfilled the need to do the 'pink Mary gown'.

The Unknown is my friend Karin.

Karin is a nurse from the Netherlands. She lived with us for a while when she was working here in the UK. While here, she became drawn to work in Ethiopia...initially thinking she would help re-establish a hospital in the North of the country where there was so much damage following the war with Eritrea.

But after she got there, one by one she found or was directed to children who were orphaned, abandoned, or living on the streets. She also developed programmes to get young teenage women off the street and back in school or in a business where they could earn money. Eventually after moving to larger and larger premises and with the blessing of the local government, she was able to get land and start a whole village! I think they have over 50 children now.

Another lady (Ruth, from Scotland, who we also know) has 'retired' from working in a hospital where ground breaking surgery was being done for fistula paitents in a hospital in the capital city, Addis Ababa. Now she works with Karin. Most of the fistual patients were able to go back to their villages after successful surgeries, no longer outcasts. But for some, the surgery could only do so much because of the damage. But these young women now have more hope because they have become the mothers for the children in the Village near Shire, Tigray where Karin is!

There is also a school in the village where children from the surrounding area come. They have been able to accept disabled children as well. One of the older blind girls from the village was recently recognised by the government for her ability in running and was being trained to run in the Paralympics. You know how well those Ethiopians run! I am not sure if she will be in the one coming up, but still it is a wonderful thing!

If you want to know more about Grace Village and what they are doing there, you can go to this website. Abraham's Oasis The background stories can be found on the side links.

Have you any 'unknowns' you want to brag about?

Semi-famous

Here's a paradox -- a guy famous enough to have a statue, but unknown to us.

Sic transit..... 

Famous

This is a picture of the statue of Queen Elizabeth I which sits amount the plantings in the Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo, North Carolina, USA.  We visit the area almost every Spring---and she is always there waiting to greet us.

Opposites: Famous/Unknown

Here in the UK we are in the midst of the London Olympics. But as you might realise if you have lived near the Olympics in other countries, many of the events aren’t actually held in the host city. For instance, rowing is at Dorney Lake which is near the area where I live, and some of the football/soccer will be in cities up and down the country.

So, I got thinking of people who will be glued to the telly to watch favourite and famous sportsmen and women. While there are also those who will be very upset to miss what they would rather watch. Favourite actor/actress, chef, presenter, politician or even DIY star, crafter or fashionista!

So, the Opposite prompt for this month will be about famous/unknown. Have you something to post about someone Famous or Well Known? It can be someone known in the world or your country, or someone who is Famous in your area of interest. The famous person does not have to be living now.

Okay, you might think, “That is going to be hard.” Some ideas...

For example, here is a photo of the statue of Abraham Lincoln which is in London. I would guess everyone knows of him and why he is famous.

and then the contrast is someone Unknown – but who you feel others should know about. Maybe you could just say why. For instance, your child’s teacher because finally your child is achieving or believes they can do it.

Another example is a wonderful quilter I know - Jenny Bowker. Alot of people know her in the quilting world, but I feel more people should know her a bit more.

Jenny lived in Egypt due to her husband's job as Ambassador. If you met her yourself, you would never know. She is not pushy or full of herself! Now that she is back in her home country of Australia, she has used her influence in the quilt world to help gain recognition and support for Egyptian families whose trade is Tentmakers. The men produce wonderful hand appliqued hangings, but it is out of fashion and they struggle to make ends meet. Jenny has made it possible for their work to be seen in quilt shows in Australia, England, and soon America. Now the whole street can lift their heads with pride knowing their work is valued and they can use their skills to support their families.

Who can you think of?
To make it a bit easier - -

If you haven’t got a photo of the person, you could post a photo or a piece of work that makes you think of them. Maybe you made a piece of art while watching them or after reading about them. Or you made something inspired by them or what they stand for. Or you have a souvenir or a gift that you connect with them.

We had a long time for the Summer prompt, let’s see what we can do with this fairly challenging one! Don’t despair though. On the 15th, you can post about August! LOL

The label for the prompt is famous/unknown.