Finished my contribution to Stitch Your Brain
I've had a postcard of this surreal and slightly sleezy jewel in my notebook for years. I wanted to show how my family, friends, acquaintances and make up who I am. These connections are both commonplace and complex, but they mean a lot to me and shape my past, my present and my future.
I've represented just a few of them here using only their eyes, set into goldwork embroidery mounts and floating on a sea of grey ruffles.
They echo these lavish and slightly disturbing miniature jewels that were given and received by lovers in Regency times – both advertising a liaison and keeping a secret at the same time. A surreal gesture singing of a sometimes unspoken link between people.
I've sent this off to be included in a show of 'Stitch Your Brain' pieces at Gawthorpe Textiles Collection. The show will open around April 20 2016 (subject to their refurbishment finish date).
