to summarise.....

 

Award Specific Unit 4 - Experimentation and Specialism.  The theme for this unit continued from RiPU ie the 1960s, commemorative textiles and text.

I began the experimentation with two practice commemorative pieces - large pieces of fabric with screen print, transfers and stitch which related to 65th birthday celebrations.  Photographs were used in half point (line) and biographical images, lyrics and patterns were included.  I spent a long time on these large scale pieces.  However, they were invaluable practice and sections formed the basis of further work - a screen printed series of three scaled up images, photographs and posters.

This photograph was used for a series of seven screen prints.  I really like this 1960s image - the fashion (daisies on the hat, the shoes and the bouquet), the embarrassed groom, the happy bride.  I used positive and negative screens of the image - either separately, together or offset -embellished, distressed, plain or fancy.  Still the same people in the same photograph -  rather fancifully, I though they summed up marriage quite well!  

Working from a photograph - I used Photoshop filters to achieve this woodcut image (on the right)  I printed onto repurposed textiles which already had embellishments of lace and embroidery.  Not very exciting, I have included one of the prints in my workbook.                                           

My next project was to create repeat designs (see left). 

 - I used Photoshop, scissors/paper and AVA (but only once).

The designs caused me some angst but I achieved four repeat patterns - two were digitally printed, two discarded.

All my work in this and the previous unit has been leading to one-off pieces which commemorate events.  I believe there is a market for commemorative textiles and I get a steady stream of requests....which I am pleased to say that I am now refusing or redirecting so that I can progress with the MA (just some tea towels to do then finished for now).  During this unit I have researched printing techniques, natural and synthetic dyes, surface pattern, embroidery,  and artists.  The research features in my blog.

 I have enjoyed working on large scale pieces and large scale images.  I spent a lot of time on the patched sample - reworking, repositioning, reprocessing.  The result is a monstrosity - but I learnt a lot from it so I have some affection for it.

I have worked towards my Learning Agreement and have largely achieved what I set out to do.   However, I still get nervous with colour and tend to stay with muted and neutral colours(a visit the the Kaffe Fasset exhibition in a couple of weeks will hopefully help).  I had hoped to develop more of  a collage style of design.  I'll continue to work on this.

  

 I have recorded research and practice on my blog - a discipline which ensures I reflect on practice, books, exhibitions etc.  It also reminds me of progress, it is all too easy to look back and think I haven't done much.  I have also kept some notes, drawings, photographs and samples in my workbook - a good resource for me - but by no means an 'attractive' sketchbook - the more I try to make sketchbooks look good - the more contrived and artificial they become.

I have attempted to work sustainably - using recycled or organic textiles.  But I have used chemical dyes.  Another aim for future work is to work with natural dyes.

When I attended the 'Sustaining the Superfluous' Masterclass, the tutor Mo Tomany said that my work 'tells stories'.  I want to use the processes and techniques I have learned to 'tell the story' of the relationship between homecraft and feminism in my next project.