textile art
'she dreams in colour' timeless textiles solo exhibition, Newcastle NSW
tally no.1 size framed: 50cm (h) x 40cm (w) Hand stitch on painted calico. 2021 timeless textiles gallery, newcastle NSW |
SOLD
tally no.2 size framed: 50cm (h) x 40cm (w) Hand stitch on painted calico. 2021 timeless textiles gallery, newcastle NSW |
tally no.3 size framed: 50cm x 40cm Hand stitch on painted calico. 2021 timeless textiles gallery, newcastle NSW 2021 'art@work' exhibition, central coast NSW |
artist statement
I began this series of painted and stitched works during lockdown in 2020. Every morning like so many others, I sat transfixed to the news each day watching as the Covid19 numbers grew around the world and locally, watching as the pandemic unfolded. I began recording the numbers in my diary.
As time went on I listened to the way that the numbers were represented and recorded each day, some states and leaders giving clear figures, others made announcements filled with ambiguity. Federal leaders bragging of our success compared to overseas figures, while the numbers of deaths in aged care continued to grow. I had to constantly remind myself to breath.
And so I began to stitch. Stitch is powerful. It has a methodical calming action. Repetitive marks made by stitch appeared in my work, reminding me of the many ways we take account, notches carved into a piece of wood, runs on a score board in sport, rows in knitting, marks and doodles. A tally is a way of recording events, of collating and referencing and noting.
These works comprise of painted cotton, mounted and framed featuring mark making from drawing materials and stitch. The action of stitching is slow. It takes time and in it's simplest sense acts as a visual reference that records the passing of time at a point in history.
But it is also through the action of making these works, that I was able to experience a sense of control and calm. I managed my feelings of being overwhelmed and the works evolved to focus more on design elements of colour, repetition, line and mark making. While the initial catalyst for these works was to create a sense of calm the stitched 'tally' marks are open to interpretation by the audience. You can attach your own meaning and narrative to the purpose of the marks or enjoy them as a decorative feature contributing to the overall work.
I am enjoying expanding this series and look forward to creating larger works that embrace this aesthetic.
I began this series of painted and stitched works during lockdown in 2020. Every morning like so many others, I sat transfixed to the news each day watching as the Covid19 numbers grew around the world and locally, watching as the pandemic unfolded. I began recording the numbers in my diary.
As time went on I listened to the way that the numbers were represented and recorded each day, some states and leaders giving clear figures, others made announcements filled with ambiguity. Federal leaders bragging of our success compared to overseas figures, while the numbers of deaths in aged care continued to grow. I had to constantly remind myself to breath.
And so I began to stitch. Stitch is powerful. It has a methodical calming action. Repetitive marks made by stitch appeared in my work, reminding me of the many ways we take account, notches carved into a piece of wood, runs on a score board in sport, rows in knitting, marks and doodles. A tally is a way of recording events, of collating and referencing and noting.
These works comprise of painted cotton, mounted and framed featuring mark making from drawing materials and stitch. The action of stitching is slow. It takes time and in it's simplest sense acts as a visual reference that records the passing of time at a point in history.
But it is also through the action of making these works, that I was able to experience a sense of control and calm. I managed my feelings of being overwhelmed and the works evolved to focus more on design elements of colour, repetition, line and mark making. While the initial catalyst for these works was to create a sense of calm the stitched 'tally' marks are open to interpretation by the audience. You can attach your own meaning and narrative to the purpose of the marks or enjoy them as a decorative feature contributing to the overall work.
I am enjoying expanding this series and look forward to creating larger works that embrace this aesthetic.