Contrary To Reason - Feral Exhibition 2021

Opening to the public on the 25th September 2021, my latest collection will be available to view and purchase at 66-68 Humber Street, Hull, in a pop-up exhibition hosted by members of the Feral Fashion and Textile Collective.

My textile work is created freehand on the sewing machine, by using the needle to draw onto the fabric with thread, turning and moving the fabric to create the image.

Often the subject is buildings and architecture, as I find them incredibly intricate and detailed, making them great pieces to recreate in embroidery.
Recently I have been including the patterned background fabric you see in this series of work, which is created by marbling paper, then editing the marbled pattern digitally, manipulating and lightening it before getting it printed directly onto cotton. The patterns of marbling are inherently random and therefore add a satisfying juxtaposition to the methodical nature of constructing the embroidery over the top.

The nature of machine embroidery requires focus, and is not an art that you can participate in whilst having attention on something else, such as the television.  Often people assume embroidery, and even textile art as a whole, is just a women’s hobby, to which I would disagree.  Textile art isn’t just women’s work, it's real art.

The exhibition runs Thursday to Sunday, 12-6pm, until the 9th of October 2021.

Catch up with the journey to the exhibition in my Exhibition Diaries series on YouTube.

Many thanks to the Feral Art School and my fellow Fashion and Textile Artists for coming together to make this happen.

Rach x