Rare embroidery on show

Pravda Nikolova's Draw Me With A Needle petit-point embroidery exhibition opens in Abu Dhabi

Pravda Nikolova started petit-point embroidery as a hobby, but later took it as a profession for her "spiritual comfort."

She first saw this type of art 30 years ago and was mesmerized.

Patience is all

Patience is the key to becoming a professional petit-point embroiderer.

The needle is threaded 400 times in each square; there are so many colours to choose from, each having a range of shades.

Red, for example, has 10 to 17 different shades depending on what type of red you work with.

Almost all the artwork is Pravda's own design as a picture is scanned into a computer programme and a legend is produced, where each thread has its own symbol.

The embroiderer is always changing colours and an experienced artist can change colours so neatly that the image at the back is just as clear as the front.

Pravda, who was encouraged to visit Abu Dhabi by her daughter, Elena, takes inspiration from pictures that are comforting to the eye.

"She likes floral or landscape pictures," explains Elena, "but prefers people. She likes to make them immortal so you feel you can get close to the person".

Pravda has received orders for personal portraits, not just of famous people but also pictures of special occasions, family members or favourite pets.

"She made a large portrait of a crowned Princess Diana for someone in England and received a thank you letter for making Diana look so alive. She is rewarded when she can see the enjoyment and appreciation of her work in other people," says Elena.

"She looks at the flowers, birds, faces on people in a different way and attempts to catch the expression and character in her pictures."

Seeking challenges

"Once the final thread is done she has a sense of satisfaction but then she starts looking for a new challenge, a more difficult design to perfect," says Elena.

"She feels she has a lot more to give before she will finally be happy."

Pravda's needlework in various sizes and of various scenes, including everyday Arabic life, will be on display at the Delma Corner until June 22.

Her Draw Me With A Needle petit-point embroidery exhibition opens on June 11 at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation.

Pravda has held many exhibitions since 1992 in Russia, Ukraine and Macedonia as well as Bulgaria where her art has also been used in sculpture and furniture displays and exhibitions.