For centuries women have used cloth as a tool of comfort and as an expression of beauty within their homes. Creating cloth for warmth, cloth for shelter, our female predecessors embellished these linens with hand stitch using laborious and time consuming techniques thereby enhancing the functional beauty of objects which enveloped and protected their families. Inspired by these women I hope my creations pay tribute to and recognise the devotion expressed in cloth by our female ancestors .







''the use of traditional often time consuming process alludes to the devotion of a mother''. c K. A. Ruane 2007







Thursday, June 12, 2008

Looking Back

When I have my interview, (deep breath, count to ten, no need to panic!!) next week they have asked me to take a selection of my work along. After a lot of thought I concluded that they would absolutely need to see sketchbooks if only to demonstrate that I actually know what a sketchbook is. I don't really do sketchbooks anymore, never having been confident of my drawing skills, these days I have 'sample' books with little bits of stitching, swatches, threads etc in and a pencil or paintbrush never gets near them. Sketchbooks however were an essential element of my studies during pre degreee and degree courses. How relieved am I that I haven't thrown these away or given them away. It was a possibility, I have these mad purging sessions where I just get rid of stuff, these could have been anywhere. Luckily I found them in my stash, along with a few others that are even less competent than these, so these are the ones I will take. The first three images are from about three years ago, a second year degree module, and, what a suprise...I am examining domestic cloth, lace, table linen, bedding.





The next two images are from 2002, my pre degree art and design foundation programme. As you can see I had an obsession with words back then too. This sketchbook was created in response to a non negotiable brief, I think it was decay, dereliction or something similar. Anyway, I think these two are a good contrast to present at interview. I am also going to take some wrapping cloths, some embroidered samples, some works on paper, also from my degree course, and I am not going to finish my hook and eye cloth so I can take that as a work in progress. What do you think? Any more suggestions?


I have started work on a small commission I received recently, this is more like it, this is me, I am really going to enjoy this and there is a story behind this piece which I will share with you when it is finished.


and more news, I have another, yes another interview the week after next, it's like buses, you wait forever then two come along at once!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4 comments:

jude said...

karen, you sketchbooks is great! i always think it is good to show an overview of who you are, and signs of development. i wish you luck and i am happy to hear that you are working closer to your heart.

Threadspider said...

Depending on who you are interviewing for, I think your skill and mastery of embroidery will be evident in the sketchbooks and the pieces and cannot fail to impress. I wish you all the very best, if this is going to be your future-but I hope you will carry on blogging if you find paid paid employment!

méri said...

I found you today through "poppytalk".
I love embroidery and yours LOVELY!.
Good luck for the interviews, and I'll wait for a link here in your blog so we can read them.

Luísa Silva said...

Love those big stitched knots.