The aesthetic and sensory qualities of textiles-shape, colour, pattern, texture - have always fascinated me. My lifelong attraction to textiles has led to my current interest in art-to-wear involving felted garments and accessories such as wraps, scarves, handbags and jewellery. Handmade felt is rich in the variety of creative effects it can achieve, lending itself to free, organic design and the opportunity to extend the surface with stitch, bead and dye. My lightweight garments are constructed from handmade felt of merino wool tops and from nuno felt, combining wool with woven fabrics of fine silk gauze and cotton muslin to create a fabric with movement and fluidity. I aim to develop simple, soft garments that are interesting to the eye and easy to wear. Transparency, drape, layering and surface design are important.
My work is inspired by my interest in social justice and equity - focusing on women and children - as well as my love of the natural environment. I represent women in designs based on circle and line - the elements of the biological symbol for female.
I dream of establishing a studio-gallery as a cooperative venture involving artists in teaching, demonstrating, exhibiting and selling original contemporary textile art.
I
|
