Artist Statement
The manipulation of layered three dimensional forms has recently become the main focus of my work. I mark, layer, crease ,drape, stack and stitch textiles to create 3 dimensional art quilts, structures and assemblages and allow gravity to determine their final forms.
I also make flat wall hung art quilts, the subject of which is most often influenced by matters of social conscience. They often have emotive or unsettling themes and hold messages which are intended to evoke a strong reaction. My process is intuitive, led by thought and an internal monologue, rather than a vision of a finished piece. By working in on open ended explorations I manipulate and transform textiles into sculptured forms or wall art. I like to surprise the viewer, challenging them to question what they see, whether it be the subject of the piece or that textiles have been used in unusual ways. I am not a person that naturally rests. My mind is always active, buzzing with ideas which I try to capture before they fly away. I keep many notepads, covered with scribbled notes and sketches as reminders of potential ideas along with other collected ephemera. I use the walls of my studio much like the pages in a huge sketchbook or journal. To some they seem chaotic, but to me they are the place where my thoughts evolve and become transformed into reality. |