Yesterday I attended the BY30 talks which my friend Jake helps to arrange; they are monthly talks with 3 influential speakers within the arts having 3omins each to give a talk about their work. This month the talented Alice Kettle took to the stage to talk about her process and inspiration. Mythology is a recurring theme in her work, and it made me think about the narrative that can be considered within our embroidery work. Paul Klee famously talked about 'taking a line for a walk', and Alice talked about the connections between the line and the linear sequence of a story. Lines create something tangible and visible; everything starts with a line.
Kettle studied as a Fine Art painter, but smoothly transitioned to textile art postgrade in Goldsmiths. Although her work is stitch, you can clearly see how her background is in paint. The element of stitch however gives her the added bonus of relief, material and reconstruction, adding to the theme of narrative and myth within her tapestries. She is able to compile and construct stories metaphorically, visually and physically.
Her work is of the utmost figurative, which really resonates with me. I enjoy bold figures and graphic line in my work, and find her work refreshing and an inspiring view on stitch art.
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| 'The Golden Thread' |
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