When suffragette Emily Davison died the mourners were asked to wear black carrying irises or purple carrying crimson peonies or white bearing laurel wreaths.  Tens of thousands attended, it must have been quite a spectacle.

In my visual research I have been investigating the  use of peonies, irises and laurel.  Also collaging text.











I have also been investigating surface pattern styles.  I like pattern and detail (which is reflected in my embroidery style)and is a strong feature of 1950s 'contemporary' styles.

I am going to return to creating patterns from the motherboard making patterns which are more subtle.  I have used current drawings in quite a large scale, causing the lines to look heavy and bold. 

'Savage Parade'  by Fernand Leger 1955

This 1955 textile design includes imagery and text.  I like the abstract sketchy quality and the use of pattern on both the text and the graphics. It is a half drop pattern.  Whilst I do not think the colour would suit today's aesthetic, I do like to simplicity of a two colour design.




Textile border design 'A Fish is a Fish is a Fish' by Ken Scott 1951

This graphic design is bold. Again it uses pattern, this time to illustrate scales, skeleton, fossils etc.  A white background with five colours. 

It is a border design inspired by Gertrude Stein's poem 'Sacred Emily' which includes the line A Rose is a Rose is a Rose.                         

The Paolozzi design (below) features the trademark 'cut out' design of the 1950s.  A very simple block repeat using four colours. 

'Barkcloth' byEduardo Paolozzi, 1954

So back to the drawing board for more drawing.  Also, perhaps inspired by the Matisse cut out exhibition (which I haven't seen yet) I will use paper cut out shapes to create pattern.