Unit X Mid-point review

Unit X Mid-point review

Following the initial research phase on ceramics and pottery, I have done more primary and secondary research connected to my work.  My group and I had decided to concentrate on cracked pottery ideas, taking colour inspiration from lichen and I have developed a colour yarn wrap following the picture below.

As a development of this theme, I painted two layers of emulsion paint onto cotton fabric and let it dry over the weekend.  I then cracked the fabric using my fingers, with control, so I could get the lines where I wanted.  I dipped it into indigo dye for 10-15 minutes.  I tried washing the emulsion paint off, so I could see the cracks on just the fabric, but the dye seemed to have taken over the whole fabric, so I left the emulsion paint on and let it dry.  I realised if I wanted the emulsion paint off my fabric leaving only the pattern of cracks, I should have used the paint on both sides.   However, I am glad I left the emulsion paint on because it gives an interesting texture.

In another development, I recycled some CDs by cutting them up into small shards and stuck them onto a blue background paper as an experiment for my sketch book.  I liked the effect it gave against the dark background and I would like to develop this further into a fabric design. I wasn’t sure I could use CDs, but my tutor picked it up from my book, so I am experimenting with different sized pieces of CDs and broken crockery on different textile backgrounds.  I have researched shisha embroidery (mirror-work technique) (Morrell, 1995) which I am going to use to fasten the pieces.  This is a technique which is widely used in India and I quite like the thought of looking at my background. 

Recently, I have dyed fabric in indigo and sewn on top of it using the tailor tacking technique and the next stage of this is going to be pieces of CD sewn on.   I like the grassy natural effect that comes from the tailor tacking, which links to the lichen, especially as I have used yellow from my colour palette.  

At first, I was hesitant about group work, because I like to think on my own.  However, it is good sometimes, because if you are lost, you can ask a group member to help or sort it out in a group meeting.  I still wouldn’t want to do this all the time, but I like it for a change.  At first, we were confused, but now we all get along very well, and the work is going smoothly.

The things that interest me are of nature, so I have looked at the books Heaven and Earth (Roucoux and Malin, 2004) and The Earth from the Air (Arthus-Bertrand, 2001) which have some magnificent pictures such as landscapes from the air and images through the microscope.  I have taken inspiration from these books as, for instance, pictures of the earth from above connect with the patterns of broken pottery.

Arthus-Bertrand, Y. (2001) The Earth from the Air 365 Days. London: Thames and Hudson.

Morrell, A (1995) Techniques of Indian Embroidery.  London: Batsford.

Roucoux, K and Malin, D. (2004) Heaven and Earth: Unseen by the Naked Eye. London: Phaidon Press Limited.