"I do no hand-stitching. I draw with the needle and fabric as though I am moving the paper under the pen. By repeatedly stitching over the same spot the build-up of thread contorts the fabric and I can achieve a three-dimensional effect."
I remember how mesmerised I was when seeing these three large embroidered panels. Their title is 'Three Caryatids' and are on display in 'Unbound' exhibition at 'Two Temple Place', London. I was lucky to visit just before the lockdown due to Corona Virus. It is such a shame the exhibition was closed as well as other shows around...
At first glance, they are absolutely beautiful. The colours, their richness, the scale of each work. Every bit of fabric is filled with stitches. There is not any printing just thread and stitches...Alice adds silver thread to create spark and richness that also adds three-dimensional effect.
This was the first time I came across the artist. And so when a few weeks later I spotted an article entitled 'Painting in thread' in Crafts magazine my memory was triggered by my experience from the exhibition.
In collaboration with Pakistani community and with refugees and asylum seekers, the embroidery becomes storytelling.
In 'Ground', there are figures, trees, flowers and other depicted on the large scale fabric (we are talking in metres here, eight metres for this piece - right). Her largest embroidery piece is about 40 metres long.
Refugees and other communities add their personalities and their own embroidery skills to the pieces. It is indeed the drawing with thread that I can relate to. Unconventional drawing...
This is just a touch on Alice Kettle's work. I have googled and listen to interviews and introductions to her shows and there is more, I am sure. I just cannot wait to go out and visit the shows... (all in good time, of course).
And as for all of you out there, keep on going and keep safe. There is still a lot we can do when inside...
K-)
