Assignment 5: Introduction Statement

Introduction Statement

As a textile artist I like to work with mixed media to help create the pieces I want. Sketching and painting is important for me to lay down my initial ideas. 

I like to introduce a narrative to the textile pieces I produce, this which makes me feel very connected to my work.  My work is also often very personal and therefore I find it important that I convey the message I am aiming for correctly. It has taken me a long time to allow myself the freedom to create what I really want to do and not what I percieved others wanted me to do.

My research work in to artists who tackle taboo subjects in their work, like Faith Ringgold, Grayson Perry, and Judy Chicago to name just a few, has given me an insight to how they look at getting their messages across, often starting with their own emotions and actions. I also like the way they play with narratives and ask questions provoking thought in their work.

My work on the Menopause coverlet has stretched me as both a practioner of textiles and as a person.  No longer am I working the bubble of my bedroom but I have put myself and my work out there for others to comment and discuss. Whether this be through surveys, online feedback or through posts on Facebook I have taken a scary step forward in to the unknown of showing my work to others.

It has taken courage and tenacity from me to start to talk about the menopause to others however it is extremely enlightening once I did start to explain what I was doing and my reasons behind the work it was amazing how much people wanted to get involved in either commenting or filling in surveys. This has helped confirm that I am working on textile pieces which are useful in creating dialogue about a taboo subject.

With the subject being a taboo, I was nervous about talking about it but the more I did the easier it became which again was something I learnt along my journey.