hand knitted wool
A trial installation of Shroud, 2013
at 'Unravelling: an exhibition of knitting and crochet art'
at Bow Arts, Ice House Studios, London, October 2016
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Shroud is a hand-knitted reflection on a midlife crisis, an abstract self-portrait. Knitted in a spectrum of pinks, vibrant cerise fading to palest pink, it explores Carl Jung’s individuation, the process of finding meaning in life, which is ultimately a preparation for death. Jung talks about balancing our multiple selves with the dark side, or shadow, of ourselves, and maintains that failure to acknowledge and accept this shadow can result in fragmentation and associated mental health issues. He also describes the shadow as being the seat of creativity.
Knitted as multiple holes, or absences, hints at fragmentation and that question of balance; its unfinished, undulating, unravelling edges, suggests a fragile, flesh-like bodily resonance. The form, title and concept challenge the stereotypical expectations of knitting and provide contrast with the seemingly benign, gendered colours and the comfort of hand-knitted wool.
Final installation of Shroud at 'Unravelling', October 2016
Knitting a life-sized sculpture is labour-intensive, obsessive and oddly cathartic. In private, it becomes meditative, in public, it acts as a people-magnet, initiating interactions with strangers. I regard my knitting as a memory catcher, as thoughts, emotions and conversations are knitted into the fabric of the piece; its fragility underpins my investigations into the dialogue between personal memories and universal themes.
I have also made a stitched shroud, a brightly coloured crazy patchwork of my old clothes, velvet and zips. It’s called My imaginary friend. I’m hoping these 2 shrouds are not so much an obsession with death as a celebration of life.
My imaginary friend, 2010, used clothing, velvet, zips; stitch
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