For many years working as a Textile designer I have been making prototype and sample pieces to be sold through agents or at Textile trade fairs such as Indigo at Premier Vision held twice a year in Paris. These designs have been variously directly translated by the manufacturer into production pieces or alternatively used as inspiration for the development of new ranges and I have expertise in a range of Textile disciplines.

Drawing has always been part of the design process, and a methodology has emerged over the years which often involves the collection of imagery, recording and analysing through drawing and photography. This visual research is then developed through a variety of processes, first of all by including a range of media and materials, and then working with Textiles media and processes. These are often not literal interpretations of the research but develop a sense of the subject.

Textile pieces have been about creating surface interest, textural qualities, and not often image based.My background as a weaver has meant working within the restrictions of the process, but there has always been a quality of drawing running through the pieces and thread is often used to create linear marks,- a single thread creates a line, fibres create tonal effects. I frequently use restricted colour palettes very often the inherent colour of the materials in their un-dyed state is sufficient: linen, cotton, silk, man made fibres, polythene and paper, concentrating on line, tone, effects of light and 3D surface qualities.

Recently I have started to develop some of the themes apparent in my Textile work and explore these ideas further through drawing. I have been able to explore a more meaningful approach, without necessarily having to address function. Drawing provides a freedom un-restrained by commercial constraints and design considerations. Sampling also rarely provides an opportunity to address issues of scale, but drawing will allow exploration of the ideas in a range of scale and media.

The Triptych images represent a new approach to work using drawing as both the developmental process and also the final outcome. I am currently in the process of finalising some larger scale Drawings which will be developed using traditional Textiles media, but have a direct relationship with the paper drawings, and are intended for gallery and exhibition rather then a domestic Interior context.

I am currently employed at Loughborough University School of Art & Design where I am the Programme Leader for a new Masters Degree, MA Art & Design with Studio Practice. This course presents exciting opportunities for projects which explore an interdisciplinary approach to Art & Design and blurs the traditional boundaries of Art & Design practice. Involvement with this new programme has been the catalyst for change within my practice, and after years working within a Textiles discipline I now find myself developing my work from a drawing perspective.

 

born: 1957, Lancaster, England

education

Royal College of Art, London, MA 1981
Loughborugh College of Art & Design, BA (Hons), 1979

selected group shows

Indigo, Premiere Vsion, Paris 2005
Indigo, Decosit, Brussels Exhibition Centre, September 2001