The dyeing process that I use involves natural and found materials combined together to produce unexpected and genuinely organic outcomes.
One piece seen in the video started from a dig in my garden that unearthed a rusty old chisel which I knew could produce interesting colourations. Soaking the silk in vinegar ensures the patterns and colours will bind and evolve, plus a pinch of turmeric for luck! I wrapped the chisel in the soaked fabric and left it to ferment for several weeks.
Patience is definitely a key part of my work.
At the final unwrap, the unique natural designs were revealed and I became hooked on this process, inspired by the endless combinations that could be experimented with. From time to time the waiting produces very little to see, but that’s all part of working with the ebb and flow of natural materials. When it does work it creates something quite beautiful, as you can see.
Risk, play, persistence and aesthetics all have a part in the work I produce.
In my circular fabric pieces, the making of the dyed fabric comes first, then I select specific fabrics that I will turn into embroidered works. Using mainly cotton and silk, I hand-stitch designs into the fabric, responding both to the naturally-occurring colours and the unique patterning that has emerged.
Nature leads the way in my interpretations of these designs.
The roots of my practice can be traced to my background in textiles and my developing relationship with nature. A forest at the end of my road provided a sanctuary during the pandemic and I became interested in the changing flora, the mycelium underfoot, the variety of colour, and how this setting supported my mental health and stimulated my creative mind. All this energy goes into these mindfully produced works.
I think of my art as organic intimate souvenirs of nature that could never be duplicated in any way.
Louise A Clarke textile Artist 