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Blog 10: Finishing Up

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 Blog 10: Finishing Up The final Piece ' Habitat Inside Out' is installed in the Wash House Garden of Saltaire village. It has found its home suspended from the tree where I first heard the blackbird that gave me the inspiration for this piece. Observing the textile sculpture in place I have reflected and have considered the following points:  1. Removing the willow and upholstery trimmings was the correct thing to do. The piece did not need the extra decorations. The narrative would be confused if they were included. 2. At the time of installation I removed the fabric ties. They were a distraction. The textile piece did not blend into the tree as I had hoped. Instead of the fabric ties I used jute. This was less intrusive and did not compete for attention with the finished piece. 3. The initial placement of the textile was too low. Once it was placed higher in the tree between two branches it was better placed appearing as part of the tree. 4. It would have been better if the...
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Blog: Cashmere

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  Blog: Cashmere Cashmere is classed as a luxury fibre. The commercial definition of the fibre is a mean diameter of less than 16.5 microns and 40mm in length.  It is made from the hair of goats.  Cashmere goats have an outer layer of coarse hair which is not used in cashmere products. This outer hair must be separated from the softer under layer of hair which is used in the products. The soft layer is grown by the goats in response to cold temperatures. As the weather warms the hair begins to shed. This can be collected by farmers. Some comb the hair out of their animals whereas others pluck or shear the animals. The yield of cashmere hair is low about 0.5 to 0.75 kg per animal [1] . According to Viva (Vegetarian's International Voice for Animals), there is much controversy around cashmere products. For example there are claims that: Land can be depleted in quality by over grazing.  The collection of cashmere from the animal is often described as cruel when sheared...
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Blog 9 Finding A Context

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  Blog 9 Finding a Context The textile structure has grown. Although not fully complete, I am pleased with how it moves. The various fabrics are presenting different textures from soft velvet, to satin, and robust cottons - I do hope people will touch and feel, as well as look. The piece is weighty and therefore, I am giving thought to how and where it will be exhibited in the Wash House Garden of Saltaire.  With this in mind I have used a pergola to determine a method and style of attachment. I think when I have done some more work on the piece I shall find a tree in which to hang it. I envisage it in a natural setting a wood or forest would be ideal.  Using a photograph of the Wash House Garden, Saltaire, I placed a drawn outline over the tree. I found this difficult to envisage the textile sculpture in place. I therefore, superimposed an image of the textile sculpture over an image of the tree to find out where it would be best displayed. See image below. I feel the pi...
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Blog 8 Looking at the Work of Other Textile Artists

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Blog 8 Looking at the Work of Other Textile Artists & Making Progress I have considered the work of other artists whilst investigating the mode of construction of my own textile sculpture. Ewa Pachuka Wall hanging, 'Landscape' crocheted hemp/linen. Sydney , New South Wales. 1974 Pachuka  has created a crochet sandy seashore. The holes and mounds representing the burrows of tunneling marine animals.[1] The technique that has been used has textural interest and forms. As mentioned in Blog 6, Magdalena Abakanowicz (1930 - 2017) was a polish sculptor and a fibre artist. She was known for her use of textiles as a sculptural medium and her outdoor installations.  The images show variation in surface texture created for example by knotting, weaving and crochet. There is an organic feel to the structures. The textile sculptures are large and looming. I really like the size of these textile sculptures - they have presence I like the work by Magdalena Abakanowicz for its scale, we...
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Blog 7 A visit to Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh

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  Blog 7 A Visit to Dovecot  Studios in Edinburgh In the exhibition 'Knitwear From Chanel to Westwood' . This Oak Pattern sweater, by designer Di Gilpin,was on display. The detail on the back  is interesting and is reminiscent of the woven branches of the bird's nest. Using this as inspiration I revisited the pieces of work I had completed using an old cut up sweater which had been stitched onto fabric. Since the wool strips were stitched onto a fabric base they were quite flat. Reflecting upon my work I decided to create a structure that was free of the basement cloth.  (Image below left) Considering this sample, it works as a free form piece, but lacks firmness and independent shape. This structure may work if supported or suspended. On a small scale it may work. However the potential exhibition space was outdoors. The Wash House Garden is a reasonably large space. Trees are present and it is bounded by raised stone planters. These are filled with shrubs and plants...
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Blog 6 Abandoned Nests and Homes

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   Blog 6 Abandoned Nests and Homes Following on from Blog 5  consideration is given to the absence of soft furnishings and furniture in both the nest and the home.  Holding an abandoned nest in one's hand there is an all pervading sense of emptiness. Similarly an abandoned and empty house feels hollow. Emotions are evoked perhaps sadness at a once life-filled space now quiet, it's function no longer of use. Are there parallels with the human body once it's reproductive functions are passed does it become a vessel to be abandoned? From the images above the structural materials are integral to the strength and shape of the homes. Without the mud, twigs, concrete and steel,  without the boundaries they create,  the soft interiors fall apart .  Textile artist  Judy Tadman creates structures with interconnecting spaces. Judy Tadman  Rope sculpture inspired by standing stones. Rug wool was used in the construction in an attempt to bring about a so...
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Blog 5 Investigating the Human Habitat - Saltaire

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  Blog 5 Investigating the Human Habitat - Saltaire Reviewing the brief I decided to  return to primary sources in Saltaire. I wanted to investigate the human habitat.   Images of the houses of Saltaire. Lots of colourful doors and windows. An empty interior... Furnishings allow us to give ‘personality’ to a room. Soft furnishings make an interior warm and cosy. Outside looking in… The net curtains prevent an ousider from seeing into the interior. One can only wonder at what treasures may lie inside the home, making it cosy and inviting. Compared to the fixed sculpture of Louise Bourgeois which was static, I am beginning to see movement in my narrative. Interiors are changed. People move into and out of houses.
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