Whispers. 2014

In 2014 I was invited to contribute to a group show at a local gallery. The format was determined for us. I created the series "Whispers" which incorporated text fragments, poetry, handmade papers, wax and fabrics. My interest was in exploring how, although we speak to each other, we are not always heard - it is as if we are whispering out of ear's reach.  The works portray the ethereal nature of spoken communication and the act of listening. The textiles used evoke bandaging referencing the damages that are caused by speech being missed or unheard. The four units of "Whispers" are hung together as a grid. The images below approach each unit individually.

Whispers I overview.

Whispers I detail.

Whispers I detail.

 Whispers II

 Whispers II overview.

Whispers II detail.

Whispers III

Whispers III overview.

Whispers III detail.

Whispers IV

Whispers IV overview.

Whispers IV detail.

Whispers IV detail.

Whispers IV detail.

Whispers in assembled arrangement

There is a poem written by myself, that is enclosed within these works. This is how it reads.

The artist's statement that accompanied this piece on installation read as follows:

"This work explores how we communicate in our quiet, inner spaces - whispering intimacies - heard but also unheard.
Juxtaposing text with a materiality that resonates with physical damage and repair, this work questions how much of our inner voice is ever heard by those near to us."

This work is now in a private collection.

Silk painting

A few years ago I undertook a self directed daily silk painting practice. I have dabbled with this on and off over the years starting with my studies in Ontario. At one stage I was making and selling a line of hand painted men's silk boxer shorts. That seems like several lifetimes ago now. There is a magical intensity to the colours of the silk paints and that makes these works standout from my more standard textile practices which are of a more subdued palette. The fabric is painted under tension and once it is thoroughly dried I steam set the work so it is washable and permanent. The painting is done onto a high grade pure silk satin that has the most glorious lustre to it on the upper face. These images  above are of one small piece that that has been appliquéd onto linen.  

Sequential I

"Sequential I" (2016) was created for the Connections 2016 installation. It is silk gauze fabric that has been ecodyed with fennel flowers in a pohutakawa dye bath.

The detail requires careful viewing and this resonated with my interest in the gradual shifts that happen in repetitive actions with the passage of time - their nature subtly changes with each repetition in the sequence. This work speaks about the ever changing nature of habitual behaviour - subtle shifts in each iteration mean there is no such thing as an exact repetition. 

Personalitas

With this work fragments and scraps are used to create an icon to the beauty of a common life, lived.
It was created as part of a body of work investigating the paradoxes of society relating to the valuing of the mundane, especially mundane female labour. By using materials that are residues from previous human activity I sought to challenge the viewer's perceptions of 'value' and 'worth', elevating material 'waste' to a place of unquestionable value and worth.

"Personalitas" 2014. 42cm x 36cm. Cotton calico, assorted embroidery floss, padding. 

Personalitas is hand painted and hand embroidered calico. The painting is done with natural pigments and the embroidery done with various hand dyed silk threads. It is a small intimate piece requiring close inspection.  The mounting has the fabric surface proud of the matte board evoking Cameos that were once so popular with women of means. The base painting is a small portion of  handwriting done in natural pigment as part of my diaristic research practice.
(In private collection)






1. www.thefreedictionary.com/cameo

a. A gem or shell carved in relief, especially one in which the raised design and the background consist of layers of contrasting colors.