A family shares a meal in this lovely hand-stitched tapestry created by Joyce Ongalgiu, Threads of Blessing artist. The work measures 14' x 14", and offers a glimpse of family life in Uganda. In this scene, two women and three small children are seated on a colorfully striped mat. Two older men also partake in the meal.
Set outside a family compound, which includes four round thatched homes, a dog, a cat, and two goats, the scene provides a view of intergenerational family life. Except for the orange-striped mat, Joyce uses a cool color palette throughout the work. The colors in the mat serve to ground the activity and highlight the family. Joyce's attention to detail draws the eye in for a closer look. Note the texture in the men's hair, the women's head coverings, the eyes, and the micro details in the food and service.
Joyce lives in Goli, the small village where the annual Threads of
Blessing workshop occurs.
“Praise the Lord! I thank the Lord for His grace. It is now 20 years
since I joined Threads of Blessing. The Lord has really blessed me. I paid school fees for my children. One of them is a Secondary School teacher, and two are working. I have an orchard garden, a motorcycle, goats, and cows. I have also been able to build a strong house. I pray that the Lord will continue to bless my family so that we will continue to see the yields of the
hard work.”- Joyce Ongalgiu