Artist Statement

Although I find myself dedicated to technical skills within weaving, I find myself even more drawn to the combination of contemporary art combined with traditional skills. And, what better way is there to develop traditional skills in weaving other than tartan? A world-wide symbol of weaving using a 2/2 twill, a striped warp, and the repetition of the warp backwards as the weft. Having always had a huge love for tartan, mainly started by my 13 year old self thinking the sex pistols were the best thing to happen to the world, I was sold. Ever since then I’ve had the drive and need to be able to create something I love. I find it extremely hard to like something and not make myself learn how to do it. I can’t enjoy something unless I understand technically how I could re-create it myself. Within a few weeks of re-searching double-cloths and pleats, I had already started to weave using them as my passion simply takes hold.

Alongside my passion for tartan, I have an ever-growing interest in psychoanalysis, firstly inspired by the ways in which our brains work. The connections, the fibres, the flow, the ways in which a signal is sent that makes your body do things, it makes me weave. The way cloths can flow, and repeat these signals. The way cloths can track those thoughts. When a fabric is woven, the fibres are forever embedded, just like the motion of the fibres. Then as I began to read more and more about psychoanalysis, I began to involve Freud’s theory of making the “unconscious mind conscious” created to help with anxiety issues. Does textile art work as a substitute? Can something like tartan that’s used in comforting ways such as scarves and blankets, also portray images of discomfort, and make people more aware of their unconscious mind by secretly displaying imagery and patterns from within the brain? I believe so.

Rorschach Test

 

I created some examples of my own inspired by the original Rorschach test linking to Freud exploring the way things appear to be symmetrical, but in fact, they are not.

On the loom

I always find weaving a lot more interesting on the loom rather than taken off it. I think it shows that "technical" side to it a lot more. Surely yo ucan see the technical side when you look at a fabric closely, and you can you can work out the draft and peg plan used from a cloth. But I just love the way the cloth looks on a loom. Showing it in all its glory in the process of being produced with the lengths of warp still flowing through the fabric and the loom itself.

Doodles

Sneak preview

Lia Cook

I never do posts about other artists and I feel its time I do as Lia Cook is currently my greatest inspiration. Shes a California based textile artist who specialises in weaving and has embarked on a new project based around neuroscience.

I don't think I have EVER felt this inspired.

"I work in a variety of media combining weaving with painting, photography, video and digital technology. My current practice explores the sensuality of the woven image and the emotional connections to memories of touch and cloth. Working in collaboration with neuroscientists, I am investigating the nature of the emotional response to woven faces by mapping in the brain these responses and using the laboratory experience both with process and tools to stimulate new work in reaction to these investigations. I am interested in both the scientific study as well as my artistic response to these unexpected sources, exploring the territory between scientific investigation and artistic interpretation. Recently I began using DSI Diffusion Spectrum Imaging of the brain and TrackVis software from Harvard to look at the fiber connections of communication between parts of the brain and to integrate these fiber tracks with the actual fiber connections that make up the woven translation of an image. In one case, I have included in an exhibition a participatory behavioral study (voluntary). I will be collecting data for scientific analysis at the same time as my audience is engaging directly with the work"

The above is Cooks artist statement explaining her current work. I was just blown away.  Looking at Cook alongside people like Freud has really made me want to cross the boundaries of science and textiles and be able to challenge myself in both subjects. I hope to develop my understanding of science by using my technical knowledge of weaving to display this.

Cooks work is available to view at: www.liacook.com

I don't want to go too much into my theory just yet but as my wok develops I will explain bit by bit.

Warp #2

Now, my colour scheme I have got from geysers, originally inspired by yellowstone national park, I do have som photos a friend took in Iceland however I currently can't find them (really don't know what I've done with them) so a google image will have to do...

 

(image found on: http://yetanotherhomeschoolblog-sheri.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/volcanoes-and-igneous-rocks.html)

And this then inspired by warp to create my tartan (see below)

This is only the inspiration for colour.. I have a whole other concept behind my work I will go into another time. But I felt the colours worked really successful. I won't bore you with all the maths but I worked out my total count to create a 6 inch wide fabric and then decided on a random assortment of numbers (as much as I love things being technically challenging.. I also love doing things my own way, I just can't help it) so unbelieveably excited to weave.

Warp set up on a 24 shaft ARM loom.

Warp #1

Tartan (textiles that changed the world) - Jonathan Faiers - available at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tartan-Textiles-That-Changed-World/dp/1845203771/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354317905&sr=1-2

When I decided to take the strive to learn tartan, I purchased this book and I am SO glad I did. I have a thing about buying books... I never get them out the library, I buy them. (an expensive habit I must admit) but I just love owning them. Theres just something about books! Anyway..

If you're interested in learning tartan, this book is a MUST. It's brilliant. Starts with the very basics, the origin of tartan, and just goes on.. everything you could possibly need to know. Even to weave.

The begining of the book starts to explain about the basics of weaving tartan.. with the initial colours of black, red and yellow. Running in the order of 2 black, 16 red, 16 black, 2 yellow. And repeat as many times as neccessary. You then repeat your warp backwards in your weft in a 2/2 twill.... and there you have it! Tartan!

This is my very, very first tartan sample (so exiciting)

As much as I love this sample, it is flawed. As the warp is 2 black, 16 red, 16 black, 2 yellow.
The weft should repeat 2 yellow, 16 black, 16 red, 2 black. However I forgot the 2 black. I honestly think I was just too excited about weaving it and the fact it looked like tartan that I just got carried away. I feel this will be a huge learning curve for me with realising the quality of weaving to create a perfect tartan.

Warp set up on an 8 shaft harris table loom.

Tartan

I've recently had a hand in and a presentation so have been a very busy bee!! But that means... new project. This time I am tackling........ TARTAN. My favourite thing, possibly ever. I remember when I was 13 becoming obsessed with the sex pistols and wanting everything I owed (including my curtains) to be tartan.... and now I'm a weaver, what could be better than being able to create it?

I've been doing some basic research into the sort of "classic" tartans, the peg pans, the drafts, the colours, the sets of colours in the warp. I'm intending to create tartans in the most traditional ways I can, alongside using very contemporary techniques and challenging what is classed as a "perfect" tartan and what would be rejected, although it still may be very aesthetically pleasing.

IDEOSPHERE

My work has recently been posted on the IDEOSPHERE blog and the Huddersfield University textile department blog too! Check it out, exciting.

http://texere.tumblr.com/

http://textiles-hud.tumblr.com/

"Fancy twills"

I'm going after Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy!

With the current theme i'm working from, i'm looking at "finishing techniques" meaning all sorts of things that can be done after a piece of fabric is woven. Something I thought could be really interesting for several reaons was freezing (hence the batman quote in the title of this post) and I can only say some was a great success!

I used a weave sample with various textures and levels, a flat fancy twill combined with a plain weave with rug tufting techniques to make the surface very textured. I submerged part within the water and left the other part out of the water and avoided it getting wet.

Grey, grey, grey

Still working on the "grey" project for university, it's actually turning out to be not so bad. The lack of colour and a real concept are really helping me to develop my technical skills as I'm not distracted by anything else. I've been working on 16 shaft patterns that I've never used before and have also been using the book "The handbook of weaves" by  G. H. Oelsner (if any of you are aspiring weavers, check it out!) its bloody fantastic.

Theres a fully section on "fancy twills" which just blew me away.

Here's some of my work using those patterns.

16 shafts and large scale

exploring various 16 shaft honeycomb looms and "fancy twills" from a book from 1915!! amazing how 'contemporary' this work is to say the pattern is almost 100 years old ey?

I love learning new things, I just can't help it. I'm one of those people who wants to do everything and I want to do it now! I want to be able to create tiny embroidery cotton loom woven samples whilst making 10 yarn thick 3D loom structures whilst doing fine tapestries and bending wire into bizzare sculptures to coat in upcycled strips of fabric.

I just can't help myself.

I can't wait to get these patterns going with some colour. I'll soon be learning pockets and double cloths too which I really am excited for. I think weave is something that is really taken for granted. I know a large majority of fabrics are created using huge pieces of machinery now but what about all those fabrics that are hand woven? Each shaft lifted individually and each weft yarn pushed through by hand. I love weaving and go into a world of my own everytime I'm infront of a loom and can't imagine doing anything else. 

The concept of being able to bring patterns from 1915 into contemporary artwork just astounds me.

16 shaft loom #1

I've recently started working on a 16 shaft loom rather than an 8 shaft and my current project is all about grey!! We've been set restrictons of working with one colour and working souly on finish, technique and style. Not colour, not context. Just pure skill! I'm loving every single second ofi t.

I've recently started to specialise in "hand constructed textiles" and as you will know, a lot of my work is very sculptural so I'm going to start working on some large 16 shaft patterns that will hopefully go 3D once removed from the loom.

wellity wellity..

My last post stated I'd entered a competition, and now the competition has closed. I guess I can show my piece? 

I've just entered the "upcycler of the year" competition ran by twisted thread. It's based around "upcycling" a vintage garment. Now.. my piece is a little different. Being that I used 3 garments and some upcycled rope I found to create a basket style bag as I feel it reflects me and my work really well. The prize is work experience at TRAID and your work displayed in a shop in camden. I can't even begin to expres how amazing that would be.

The way the competition works is that the pieces are all auctioned off and obviously the one with the highest price, wins! Now I don't have much hope for my piece, as it isn't clothing and I know the general theme for the competition is clothing.

But all I can do is keep my fingers crossed :)

Below is the original garments..

and my upcycled final product..

Work in progress..

I'm not too sure how much I can say at the minute, but I've just entered a competition and this is the work in progress of my entry!

I'm not 100% sure when you can post your work about that you've entered but that is definitely something I will look into for the future, and will of course post a photo of my piece when I can :)

I've really loved making a piece for a competition.. I always love making work, of course I do! But it feels so different when its for a reason.. when you know people WILL see it and will form an opinion of it.

I don't have much hope as I have literally never won ANYTHING but fingers crossed... :)

"work"space

This is really what my desk looks like all the time.. Its suppose to be a clear space where I can think, draw, create. Its really just a pile of stuff and when theres a space, a sketchbooks fills it and I grab a pen and doodle away! I love being surrounded by things that inspire me and objects I care about.. but sometimes I also need a blank canvas. Maybe I need an inbetween?

Photos, scissors, glue (and my new stamps)

Collage is something I did a lot during my foundation degree when I did some work in illustration and for some reason its something I always forget about? But anyway, after I bought my wonderful new stamp set... I decided it was time to combine the two! I love it. Again, I've used some of my favorite quotes that maybe don't relate in any way, shape or form to the imagery but I love them all the same.

Stamp Set

After wanting a new stamp set (i have a very, very tiny one. one so tiny you have to use TWEEZERS to put the letters in place!!) for about.. forever, i decided to finally buy one. I found one for £5 on ebay with £3 postage for all 24 letters but all at different levels meaning it was just a little different.

I spent ages looking for one, and found lots of lovely wooden sets but none of the letters were as big as I wanted them. So I ended up buying a set of plastic ones but I'm glad I did.

I decided to give them a whirl and use them to stamp one of my favourite quotes.

Procktor

I'm so terrible at this blogging buisness! I get so distracted by other things....

SO, recently, I've been working for the current Patrick Procktor exhibition in Huddersfield curated by Ian Massey. Theres a small group of us working as student ambassadors to offer guided tours, information and help about the exhibition.

I was SO excited about getting the opportunity to do this as I'm a big Procktor fan and got to attend the opening night! Which (can you believe it) Johnny Marr from The Smiths attended! Aaaahhh amazing.

Anyway, the exhibition is oustanding, and from the openingn night you can tell how adored Procktor was and how much passion people still have for his work. Go check it out!

Below is my invitation :)

Work in progress

Just some drawings I'm currently working on. I like to be drawing two things at the same time, they allow you to have a break from one, but still continue drawing. One is a piece made up completely of lines using black and red fine-liners. It's a completely random pattern meaning its easy to do, although quite harsh on the eye. The second is a pencil study of an armadillo. I intend for this to be a detailed piece and hoping the line drawing with inspire me.

Furnishings

 

Recently I was rummaging round one of my favorite charity shops and found some AMAZING tartan fabric for very cheap. I always buy fabric, and never really know what to do with it? Seen as I weave, I don't feel right using already woven fabric to make things. But.. I had what felt like a good idea, cushions! Everyone loves and needs cushions in my eyes. 

I bought some zips, and made these pretty simply cushions but I think they're really effective being that they're reversible. I also added pom poms onto one to see how it'd look. I really like them!

I was suppose to be taking part in a craft fair in York this month but it unfortunatly got cancelled. I was looking really forward to taking these with me! But hey, they'll have to stay with me until next time.