time to evaluate

Second set of prints from provisional screens.  These two sessions have given me the opportunity to look at the scale, colour and images.  Some of the motifs are too heavy.  I like the binary print but I need to be able to fill a bigger space.  The handwritten text has been abandoned.   I will work on a new set of screens.  Plenty to work on including background and colour.   

Thursday we looked at presentations and I selected from TED lectures ...so interesting that I was getting more involved in the content than the delivery.

 

screen prining

 

I began screen printing and combining motifs onto various textiles today

 - repurposed plain cotton, organic  canvas, organic linen, silk and vintage hankies.  The screenprints should reflect 4th wave feminism by illustrating text and technology, bright colours to reflect energy .  I am pleased with the Cherry Red and the Bright Royal, but the Petrol Green isn't fresh enough.  I added the yellow as an afterthought but it doesn't hold up against the red and blue.

I am endeavouring to build a collection which share similarities and  differences - stripes, repeat patterns, scale and purpose.  Early days yet. 



Spent a couple of hours in the library today - Saturday morning is a great time to visit the library because it is quiet and all the magazines are availale.  I love Uppercase magazine and issue No 20 features an article about Sarah Corbett and craftivism. 

While I have been extolling the virtues of on 4th wave feminism which offers on line campaigns, Sarah Corbett suggests that craftivism  offers 'a way of looking at life where voicing opinions through creativity makes your voice stronger, your compassion deeper. 

Sarah started with a blog, going on to found the Craft Collective in 2009.  I've offered to help at a workshop in May at the V & A.  

I've been trying to think how I progress after the MA ends.  I'll be 64 years old, I can't pretend that I will be working towards a longterm new career but I know I will be using my skills to make things because I enjoy drawing, making and constructing stuff.  Hopefully I will also facilitate others to make stuff.  To this end I will be co-delivering a screenprinting workshop in May which also involves me designing the screens. 

  

Thursday again

 Following my tutorial where I was advised to look at graphic design I spent a morning in  the library looking at illustration and graphic design journals.  I was particularly taken by Louise Fili. 

I also liked this design for a wine bottle by Studio Guittierez (left) which was inspired by a rusty mattress.


Today we had a talk by Sally Anne Wood.  She talked about her degree at NUA through to her work for Kath Kidston. It was a fascinating talk, very easy to relate to.   She described the stages of development at Kath Kidston which echoed the steps documented in the book I have been reading - 'Fundamentals of Textile Design' by Alex Russell.   In particular I was interested in how they find inspiration, how they develop of the 'story' to form a collection, and especially the trouble taken to ensure the new collections coordinate with existing merchandise.  

We had a tutorial after the talk.  I had not been able to do enough work this week and I hope to compensate in the coming week.

Thursday at NUA

Lecture theatre for three pecha kuchas from Les Bicknell - one of which was included thoughts around weaving with words and understanding language and meaning at a deeper level.  I started my MA with aspirations of making my work meaningful and I continue to endeavour to do so but I need reminding at times.

On a more superficial level I seem to be using the words typography, graphology, font and text interchangeably - without establishing the difference.  Simply categorised...typography is printed, graphology is handwritten, font is typeface taking size, style, spacing etc into consideration and text is written or printed words.



Barbara Kruger

I was also taken with Les's remarks that the same process is worlds apart when applied to different materials - ie folding fabric can be pleating, folding paper can be bookbinding, folding metal can be architecture or engineering. 

Tutorial - interesting to see everybody's work.  Mine is in very elementary stages  and comments were useful.  I was advised to look at the work of graphic designers.  Also to visit History of Advertising Trust who are likely to have some interesting adverts which illustrate the changing role of women. Barbara Kruger was also mentioned.

I have been looking at the inspirational Little Book of Lettering.  Also the work of  Patrick Moriarty.  They both use images within shapes which I would like to develop for my work.

focussing

I have been rereading Kira Cochrane's ebook 'All the Rebel Women' (Guardian Shorts 2014).  It is an excellent overview of 4th wave feminism- emphasising the grassroot qualities of this new wave which is less academic and more inclusive.  Single issue campaigns are communicated technologically and they are tackling attitudes and influences.  On Woman's Hour today schoolgirls were talking about feminism in a measured and informed manner.

I am using the drawn images of the insides of mobile phones and the vocabulary used by 4th wave feminism to create designs which represent the complexities of intersectionality and fourth wave feminism.

 

subtext

tutorial with Nick yesterday.  He pointed out that the true concept of my project is text and 4th wave feminism is the reference point.  I understand and I agree.  I am redefining the project in my head and in the proposal.

Research

I have found an interesting website - 
The Letterform Archive
- a virtual museum of typographic master-pieces collected by Rob Saunders with samples from 1605. 

Last Friday I visited the Fashion and Textile Museum on Bermondsey to see the Artist Textiles exhibition which features 20th century artists who have designed textiles - including Salvador Dali, Henry Moore, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol and many more. 

Zandra Rhodes 'Medals' 1964

I was particularly pleased to see the Medals design by Zandra Rhodes which I have long admired but only previously seen in books.  Screenprinted with vibrant colours, the design is fifty years old but I think it looks fresh and contemporary.

Saul Steinberg
 

I was intrigued by the section 'America, the 1950s-1960s:Illustration into Textiles'.   Saul Steinberg created wallpapers and textiles in an illustrative and amusing style.  I have been wary of literal representation (albeit in a cartoonish style) of subject matter but this exhibition included some witty Steinberg designs of trains, train stations, fairgrounds and weddings.  Some were used as border designs for skirts.



Sarah Campbell 'Sonnet' scarf
 

handpainting designs

The exhibition also included a film and small exhibition of Sarah Campbell designs.  The film explained Sarah's love of handpainting designs.  On the left is a design which was handpainted for a 'sonnet scarf'.

Sarah worked in collaboration with her sister Susan, but since her sister's death she is continuing her design work independently.