Ways of Seeing

 
Ways of Seeing
70 cm diameter, up to 150 cm (expanded)
Acrylic inks on board, fabric, paper, threads, yarns, beads, wire
Calligraphy, embroidery, crochet, felting, paper collage, beading
  During our lives we develop Perceptions, Intuitions, Attitudes, Sensibilities, Experiences and Understanding of the world in which we live. These can limit (or even obscure) our ability to 'see clearly'. These concepts are 'written' inside magnifying glasses, each in a different technique (crochet, tapestry, felting, beading, embroidery and decorated paper) to represent the varied approaches we can take to make sense of our surroundings.

The seven black discs contain colourful quotations about life (experiences, possibilities, insights, etc), written as circular bands of colour, illuminating the dark recesses of the unknown. Each disc's central focal point is shaped like an eye, symbolising one of these perspectives (or 'outlooks') on life - or it could be the 'third eye' (the window to the subconscious).

 
Detail The various colours encompass the full spectrum, and this represents the wide range of diversity and individuality in the human population.

In this interactive display, by layering some or all of the lenses over your choice of text, you can create many alternative views of the world.

Wearable Art Vest

Black satin words were appliquéd over many different fabrics in my favourite colours of purples, blues, pinks and greens to create a 'stained-glass' effect.

 
Wearable Art Vest - Back
60 x 53 cm
Machine appliqué.
Vest.
  The quotes on the back express my feelings about the universality of art, as well as individual creativity.

ALL ARTS
ARE ONE
EVERY ARTIST
DIPS HIS BRUSH
IN HIS OWN SOUL

 
Wearable Art Vest - Front
60 x 53 cm
Machine appliqué.
Vest.
  The words on the two front panels represent my interests in various art forms.

On the right front:
LIT-ERA-TURE
DANCE
FIBRE-ARTS
PAINTING

On the left front:
MU-SIC
SCUL-PTURE
CALLI-GRAPHY
DRAMA

Alphabet

This book and quilt incorporate designs which are based on the letters of the alphabet. Each motif was created by mirroring and repeating one letter to produce a circular pattern.

 
Alphabet Book
7 x 23 cm diam (in box), up to 100 cm diam (laid out)
Cut-paper shapes, gouache and acrylic ink on mat board.
Circular book in box.
  The book contains 27 circular pages stored in a round box. Each page features one letter-lace design in cut-paper collage.

On the back of each page is written the historical development of each letter, with the words spiralling outwards, reminiscent of the way cultural (and individual) creativity blossoms forth from a central core.

The colours, in both the writing and the backgrounds of the designs, range through the full spectrum, representing the unending cyclical development of our written culture.

 
Alphabet Quilt (Detail)
225 x 45 cm
Hand-appliquéd alphabet designs, hand quilted on background fabrics.
Wall hanging or stole. The quilt features these same letter-lace designs. Black satin was appliquéd over a variety of background fabrics (in my favourite colours) to create a rich, sensuous 'stained-glass' tapestry of the alphabet.

Spectrum of Humanity

 
Spectrum of Humanity
50 x 70 cm
Pieced and quilted fabric with hand-lettering.
Wall hanging.
 

In an ideal unprejudiced society, people, with their own unique blend of personality, beliefs and talents, can be free to reach their fullest potential, combining harmoniously with others to create a glorious spectrum of diversity.

Various quotes are written in the white borders, describing the necessity to respect individual differences, blend complementary combinations, and revel in the harmony of the whole.

 
Detail
 

The two multicoloured fabrics in this quilt (the warm orange/reds and the cool green/blues) are very different, yet in the outer border they blend harmoniously to create a richer, more balanced whole (the full spectrum). In the centre, individually-coloured scraps of these two fabrics have been melded to form the word SPECTRUM, showing that each unique contribution, however small, has a vital part to play in completing the full picture.

Reconciliation

 
Reconciliation
20 x 20 x 5 cm (closed), up to 20 x 100 x 30 cm (opened)
Inks, boards, assorted papers, threads, fabrics.
Concertina book
 

When diametrically-opposed people first come into contact (different cultures, viewpoints, values, ages, abilities, genders) neither understands the others' experiences and history, and so they do not readily interact. With increasing contact and understanding, initial apathy can be replaced by tolerance and cooperation.

 
Reconciliation Page 6
  This progression, from separation to reconciliation, is depicted in the pages of this book. The interweaving of the cultural differences can be viewed from either the 'black' or 'white' perspective, framed and restricted by our own cultural baggage. Even while breaking down the barriers, we must still try to preserve and celebrate individual and cultural differences.

Assorted Artist Books

I love making little artist books which I sell in galleries. Here are just some of them....

 
Weaving
17 x 7 cm (closed)
Pearlescent inks, board, metallic threads, photocopied hand-lettering.
Stitched concertina book.

Weaving Book

Quotes about weaving are written in various lettering styles and interwoven with the words of a longer poem written in capitals. One verse of the poem mentions gold and silver threads, so I featured this on the cover. Also the two colours of the concertina-folded strips are 'woven' together with gold and silver threads.

 
Book Brooch
3 x 3 2 cm
Fabric, button, photocopied hand-lettering.
Concertina book

Book Brooch

This little concertina book is designed as a brooch to be worn by people who feel they desperately need some new clothes. Wearing the brooch gives a boost without the cost of buying a new outfit. The poem inside the book is called "Nothing to Wear" and describes the trials and tribulations of a young lady who has nothing to wear despite an extensive shopping spree!

 
The Web of Life
8cm x 8 cm x 1cm (closed)
Commercial paper, collage cover, handwritten photocopied text.
Maze book

The Web Of Life

This booklet contains quotes about co-dependence in the natural world, the inter-connections between man and his environment, and the importance of preserving the balance of nature for future generations. The book is a variation of a "maze book" in which the paper was cut and then re-connected to form a meandering message about the 'Web of Life'.

 
Quilters pack
10 x 15 cm
Photocopied quotes, folded paper cover, badge, fancy threads.
Folded packet with inserts.

Quilters pack

This pack contains a little booklet of quilting sayings, a book of handy hints, two cards which can be framed or used as fridge magnets, a badge and a bookmark.