FOR Egyptian migrant and mother of three Sherine Morkos, joining a group of women for regular craft sessions has become a lifeline.
“I saw them to be a big window to see the life here through them,” she says.
Having arrived in Australia in 2004, the Taylors Lakes resident says that linking up with other women from the Coptic Women’s Association was important to her.
Mrs Morkos joined about 10 Coptic Orthodox women with Egyptian, Syrian and Lebanese backgrounds to produce textile works which are showcased in a new book and exhibition, Love and Care: The Glory Box Tradition of Coptic Women in Australia.
As part of a joint community arts project with Brimbank Council, the women met at the Hunt Club Community Arts Centre to work on their exhibits while Victoria University researchers Professor Marty Grace and Dr Enza Gandolfo documented their work.
The association’s co-ordinator, Madonna Awad, says the Coptic tradition of mothers helping their daughters make items for their glory box is important to maintain, which is why she approached visual arts curator Jo Ely with the idea.
“The glory box idea was a lonely thought of a homeland I was longing for,” Mrs Awad says.
“The memories that were left behind but were still very much alive inside us.
“I wished they were present in our new lives in this beautiful country that we now call home.”
Mrs Morkos will continue the tradition with her own daughters.
“For me, it’s number one.”
An art teacher back in Egypt, Mrs Morkos’s beaded contribution to a tablecloth is a very personal one, displaying symbols of her own values which she wants to pass on to her three daughters.
“I like to have these good things inside them,” she says.
“This is what I believe so I want to share it.
“I hope that my family will be good and I hope I will raise my children in a good way so that they will be positive with everyone, so they will be helping and sharing, so they will be good people in the community.”
Love and Care is at the Hunt Club Community Arts Centre in Deer Park until April 5.
