Have there been any specific artists or artistic movements that have inspired you in your craft?
From a purely philosophical point of view, I’ve always drawn inspiration from the work and ideals of William Morris and the Arts and Crafts Movement, which brought the decorative arts into the homes of ordinary people. Part of their philosophy was that beauty should be available to all – regardless of class – with an emphasis on the dignity of working people.
Another favourite is Charles Rennie Macintosh’s – stained glass, furniture and other decorations with clean, minimalistic lines and unpretentious design.
I also love Art Deco, especially some of the early work of the fashion designer, Erte, and book illustrator, Kay Neilson. I also like to use of lots of metallics, particularly gold – I see this particularly in Gustav Klimt’s work.
So much of this work translates readily into designs for appliqué and compositions for pictorial pieces.
Do you think crafters often turn to famous artworks and artists for inspiration?
I think as you become more confident in your chosen medium, it’s only natural to start designing your own pieces, rather that copying others. One of the ways to really get to grips with design is to study the work of others and use it as a springboard for your own work – you needn’t slavishly copy, but adapt and modify the work that really excites you.
Many famous artworks have a resonance that defies age and fashion and have had a tremendous influence on the way we see and interpret the world around us. We can use them to work on colour choices, balance of filled and empty spaces and flow of the eye around a piece, even subject matter.
I think craftspeople have always been inspired by artists in other media, you only have to look at recent fabric design ranges to see the influences – Art Nouveau, 60’s Pop Art, Empire, Regency and more. Even photographic artists like Ken Duncan provide wonderful starting points for landscape inspired pieces.
Is there a particular artist or artistic movement that you love?
I think the Arts and Crafts Movement would have to top my list of favourite artistic movements with Art Deco a close second.
Arts and Crafts because it translates across so many areas – tapestry, fabrics, furniture, fine arts, architecture and publishing. I love the way Morris can take something as everyday as an artichoke and turn it into something decorative and beautiful.
What do you think art has to offer the craft world?
The art world offers inspiration, particularly in the form of composition and innovative use of colour.
Craftspeople are often limited by the materials available, particularly with regard to textiles as there is only a limited range on the market at any given time. Whilst a painter can mix up a colour in exactly the desired hue, the quilter has to work with what they can get. When I reflect on what was available in the early ‘80s – when I started patchwork – it amazes me how far we’ve come in our choices in materials!
As quilting, for instance, has emerged from its strictly domestic, utilitarian milieu and become more of an art form, quilt makers have been forced to ‘think outside the square’ and demand larger and better ranges of fabrics, threads and other fibres – resulting in the emergence of so many hand-dyed, one-off and innovative products on the market.
I think the art world has also offers crafters confidence, especially as the exhibiting of so much installation work as art has broadened the boundaries of what constitutes art and what is relegated to it’s once poor relation, craft. Essentially, the distinction between the two has become more artificial and fatuous over the past thirty years – there are crafters who would be startled to be classed as ‘artists’ and artists who pride themselves on fine craftsmanship!
Do you think art has a place in craft?
It’s there and can’t be kept out! It never ceases to amaze me when I see unbelievably beautiful original ‘craft’ works produced by women (and men!) that have had no formal artistic training whatsoever! There are as many artists hiding in the suburbs as there are in our fine arts and design courses!
