Laurie Bergner
February 2025 - Lucie and her great-granddaughters
About the Image(s)
In November 2023, I visited Congo's eastern city of Goma. We spent some time visiting 81 year old Lucie, who embroiders political artwork. She learned embroidery from the nuns at school under the Belgians, where she embroidered
birds and flowers. But in the 1990's, violence came to Congo. Her husband was killed by the army, and she began to do political artwork instead. We talked with Lucie and looked at her embroideries, which included themes of slavery, violence against women and journalists, the eruption of a volcano… Lucie has taught over 50 young women the art of embroidery!
ISO 160, 16 mm, f/4.0, 1/60 sec
3 comments posted
(Groups 2 & 5)
The storytelling is very complete in this wonderful image. I love seeing the women of varying ages busy with their needlework, and the colors and the setting all contribute to a fascinating scene. Posted: 02/18/2025 18:53:23
I like that they are all engrossed in their work but part of me want one of them to acknowledge you, the photographer. You have included the women and their work. Well done. Posted: 02/21/2025 09:45:39
Laurie Bergner
An interesting point. I think it could go either way. It always draws the viewer in when someone is looking at you, but on the other hand, this also captured them engrossed in their work. What do others think? Posted: 02/21/2025 09:53:56