Sewn Secrets

I've been working on some textile pieces. Im using the shapes of a few embroydery rings to give nice even shapes and sizes. I want them to appear quite traditional in this way - to look like the colour has faded from the thread. The fabric is quite a pink toned cream and the string is white so they are more different than the pictures show.

I'm using frames at the moment so they dont appear too scruffy but I might try putting poles in the top and bottom and hanging them like you would with a quilt.

As the title suggests they contain secrets with the letters sewn horizontally, vertically then upside down so they are completely unreadable. I'm thinking of picking a few of the words from the secrets as titles, so the one above would be called "The Only Thing" Which seems quite cryptic but I know exactly what the secret is about.

The thread is mortician sutre thread which I've been experimenting with staining with natural dyes like blackberries. And the canvas is from the protective bags woven coffins are stored in. It's quite nice fabric, very soft and it degrades as you sew it as it rips quite easily - which I like.

See more examples of my work on my facebook or my flickr account

Fine art project - third year

I have started my third year and final year of my degree. I started about a month ago. It's quite exciting. Esspecially since I am loving my project.

I have decided to look at Morbid Curiosity - about people's fear and fascination with death and all that goes with it.

So far I have looked closely at the surgical tools of the trade - forceps of different kinds, mortition needles and cotton thread used for procedures.

I have used the forceps in sculptures made of royal icing - reflecting a long tradition of feasting that carries along all cultures.

I have dyed the thread with a variety of natural and native plant dyes. Being affiliated with green cemeteries. Making this a tradition for myself. I have then used the thread to make textile portraits.

I have looked at waste products of the trade - using the canvas bags woven willow coffins come packed in, as a material to use. I have also got some pacemakers and some mud from graves to work with.

I have looked frankly at gravestones and how they are deconstructed selves. We get simplified and perfected after our deaths. I wrote a long list of words I strongly associate with myself. But I was unsure how to use them.

I started making patterns for writing or sewing the words until they are unrecognisable and blend into a mess. I then started thinking about secrets, how they define me more. I want to layer the words of my secrets - the ones I would tell no-one. So far I am liking how it looks.

I'll pop a few photos up when I have them. And I am going to make a short video of a slideshow of my medusa piece.

See examples of my work on my facebook or my flickr account