Islands - a journey of discovery -detail
An exhibition piece which has been several months in the making.
It links Neolithic Orkney and the textile traditions of Shetland.
The traces left by Neolithic people and the essence of the culture and the environment of these two islands are combined in homage to people who live in isolation yet are joined together in a tight knit community.
The inspiration of the “Simmer Dim”, Taatit bed coverings, Maeshowe, twig writing, and the textile work of Niela Kalra are used here to give a flavour of an experience gathered during my 2019 stay.
Niela talked to me in her studio about her cultural heritage in lands far removed from Shetland and how feelings of isolation within a small community can influence current textile art.
In this piece I have used knitting, knotting, crochet, weaving, machine and hand embroidery, paint and ink to show how disparate materials can come together in a modern interpretation of age old subjects.
The woven background supports a machine embroidered surface which has been painted with reflective materials to suggest a season when there is little true darkness and also to reflect the light seen on the sea shore. The hooked and knotted circle using turban fabric and sari silk illustrates how two cultures and genders can integrate but still remain apart, and the structure reflects the cairn at Maeshowe and the light of the winter solstice which illuminates the central chamber. On its walls are examples of many runic inscriptions, two of which I have reproduced in wool.
Mixed media measuring about 3 feet square.
Islands - a journey of discovery -detail
An exhibition piece which has been several months in the making.
It links Neolithic Orkney and the textile traditions of Shetland.
The traces left by Neolithic people and the essence of the culture and the environment of these two islands are combined in homage to people who live in isolation yet are joined together in a tight knit community.
The inspiration of the “Simmer Dim”, Taatit bed coverings, Maeshowe, twig writing, and the textile work of Niela Kalra are used here to give a flavour of an experience gathered during my 2019 stay.
Niela talked to me in her studio about her cultural heritage in lands far removed from Shetland and how feelings of isolation within a small community can influence current textile art.
In this piece I have used knitting, knotting, crochet, weaving, machine and hand embroidery, paint and ink to show how disparate materials can come together in a modern interpretation of age old subjects.
The woven background supports a machine embroidered surface which has been painted with reflective materials to suggest a season when there is little true darkness and also to reflect the light seen on the sea shore. The hooked and knotted circle using turban fabric and sari silk illustrates how two cultures and genders can integrate but still remain apart, and the structure reflects the cairn at Maeshowe and the light of the winter solstice which illuminates the central chamber. On its walls are examples of many runic inscriptions, two of which I have reproduced in wool.
Mixed media measuring about 3 feet square.