A solo project that looked at the relationship between our hands, behaviour and value we impart on consumed goods, through the practice of embroidery.
A 5 day interactive performance held at He Made She Made created a therapeutic environment where stories, skills and ideas were shared. What is created is a demonstration of what our hands can still achieve collectively and collaboratively in a machine and technology dominated world.
For five days, I sat by glass front of the art gallery, embroidering on large silk panels. As visitors came in, they were invited to embroider with me as a way to realise capabilities of their hands, as creators, rather than consumers.
This was a relational aesthetic project demonstrating the wonderful synergy of inspired minds and hands. Visitors from all walks of life embroidered on the fabric. While the goal was never to demonstrate skill, the collective creativity of strangers personally mark making resulted in an unexpectedly beautiful piece.
"Over the course of our conversation it transpired that the two opposite me were artists with a show coming up, cards were swapped, names exchanged and somehow in a mere twenty minutes over some embroidery, networks were formed. It is this social aspect of the work that is the most compelling." - Naomi Gall
The project consisted of three scrolls, symbolising the different stages and development of handicraft. In the first piece, visitors were given creative freedom - they could embroider anything, anywhere they want. Rather than composing a controlled image, it allowed artists to self express.
While embroidering the second scroll, visitors were guided to stitch in particular places with a controlled colour palette. Interestingly, this approach didn't impact on the creative enjoyment of the experience, rather it strengthened the focus and determination of the embroiderers.
This piece of completely hand stitched by me using metallic thread, an effort taking over 50 hours. It explores the way personal connection between the materials and making process impact the level we cherish the things we use.