As an embroiderer I make work to help me answer questions, to tease out the conundrums in life that baffle me.
The beauty of this brief was the challenge of responding to Biomimicry – The emulation of natural phenomena to solve human problems. Curiosity, leading to observation and ultimately copying nature.
One example that haunts me is mankind’s relationship with flying.
Flying is absurd.
As Science Fiction moves inexorably towards Science Fact mankind strives to mimic the implausibility of flight. Inspired by M. C. Escher I envisage an alternate world where Artificial Intelligence continues to move us away from an appreciation of nature towards one where we steer it for own desires. Mathematics under-pins our understanding, whilst ‘black and white’ attests to factual accuracy. Can a belief in the magic of folklore exist alongside scientific discovery? Can we believe our eyes? Our perception of the world has been altered forever since the invention of drones and their use in photographing the world around us from a bird’s eye perspective.
Another challenge of the project was about Colour. I chose to contrast the intense colour found in nature with a binary black and white of science.
Hummingbirds shouldn’t exist; such a tiny, colourful bird, whose wings beat faster than the human eye can observe. Spectacular colour amidst a monochrome environment alludes to deception, and survival.
By using technology to replicate hand-drawn images, and stitch to individualise the identical, the viewer engages in a dialogue about the ethics of biomimicry. Manufacture aspires to repeat perfection, when true beauty comes from difference and individuality.
Just because mankind can intimate and replicate nature should this be at the cost of the Earth’s resources? Embroidery is an incredibly sustainable art form. The time required to stitch is unimaginable by those who haven’t threaded a needle. Nothing is as satisfying as the play of simple stitches where the direction and rhythm explore colour and surface relationships. Digital printing allows for the minimum of environmental impact, whilst the backing fabric used is rescued from landfill, being ‘dead-stock’ sourced from local manufacturers.
I am thrilled to announce that my piece ‘3 x thrice’ has been selected as one of the 6 finalists in the Open, Textile Art Category of the prestigious, International Hand and Lock Embroidery prize 2022 and on display in 2023 in their Biennial exhibition.
To quote hand and Lock:
‘Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery
The Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery (THE PRIZE) commenced in 2000 as the M Hand Prize for Embroidery changing to the Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery in 2004.
Hand & Lock’s Chairman Alastair Rudin Macleod was instrumental in setting up THE PRIZE with the aim to promote the use of hand embroidery surface embellishment within fashion, costume, soft furnishings and art. All in the hope that contemporary design and other fresh approaches will be inspired to embrace hand embroidery, to acknowledge and value its quality and expertise.
Over the years THE PRIZE has embraced other embroidery disciplines from hand guided machine to digital embroidery all with the fundamental premise that embroidered articles should always encompass an artistry and skill. All submissions should have a ‘WOW’ factor and help push the envelope for the art of embroidery.
THE PRIZE is the charitable arm of the British embroidery atelier, Hand & Lock established in 1767. The goal is to promote the use of embroidery in fashion and textiles and reward and encourage emerging talent.
Aim
An annual international embroidery prize which celebrates excellence in craftsmanship.
The aim of THE PRIZE is to promote the fine art of embroidery by acknowledging and supporting contemporary embroidery talent and solidifying that recognition for future generations to come.
THE PRIZE aspires to provide passionate and emerging embroiderers a vital platform to showcase their talents and gain life-changing exposure. The Prize for Embroidery strives to highlight the exquisite craftsmanship and skill that goes into this intricate craft and bring together the whole embroidery community to celebrate.’
The work from all 24 Prize finalists will be on display in November 2023.
Embroidered Arts Exhibition 2023
All finalists’ Works in the 2022 Prize for Embroidery will be exhibited in the Biennale Embroidered Arts Exhibition in November 2023.
Exhibition venue address:
Bargehouse
Oxo Tower Wharf
Bargehouse Street
South Bank London
SE1 9PH
Date of Exhibition
The Exhibition is open from Thursday 16th November to Sunday 19th November 2023.