In Development
Where did February go?! The busy-ness of MA work, winter bugs and preparation for a special trip ate up the days and I find myself writing this in March.
On the uni front, I’ve now completed the Developmental Creative Practice stage of my MA, the second stage of three. My work has been marked and I’m on track for where I want to be. Phew! After the Exploratory Stage, when I experimented with lots of new processes and which looks rather broad in hindsight, this feels more focused and purposeful.
From a wide variety of techniques and ideas I had reduced my approach to two strands – upcycling redundant textiles and making compostable burial garments. Two quite different projects! But both have an element of sustainability at heart.
The first involves working in collaboration with Changing Lives in Cheshire (or CLiC), a social enterprise and charity which provides employment in Winsford, Cheshire through recycling, upcycling and waste management.
They prevent over 50% of what they receive going to landfill but unfortunately they also accept an average of 7 settees a day which they cannot sell on due to fire regulations and which currently go into the crusher. It is textiles from these that I have been experimenting with.
Armed with a Stanley knife, (other types of blade are available) I set to, taking samples from woven, knitted and leather fabric covers.
Some of the settees had been outside in all weathers for some time but I was fortunate to be on site as a leather settee was unloaded from a collection van. It was still rather mucky but careful washing and nourishing with leather cream brought it’s sheen back...
…as this before and after picture shows.
Laser cutting and etching back at university gave me more ideas to play with.
I will be speaking about CLiC and my involvement with them at the Textile and Place Conference which takes place in Manchester, UK, on 12 and 13 April. They have a hugely impressive programme and I feel enormously privileged to be amongst such authoritative and knowledgeable speakers.
Info about the burial garments for my Advanced and final stage will come later. As will pics of that special trip! Keep in touch for further details!
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