Textiles Tell Stories: a talk by Claire Blackburn

Claire, a Guild member and professional textile artist, will give a short talk about her work and practice, with particular reference to her use of textiles to record stories and narratives. We will take a look at some of the projects she has been involved with and the relevant skills and materials used, which include knitting, needle-felting, hand-dyeing, embroidery, photography and stitch. There will be a range of samples, images and work for the audience to explore and talk about.

Claire is an award-winning member of the Society of Designer Craftsmen. Her work has been selected for exhibitions at the Houses of Parliament and the Mall Galleries in London, among many others. She also undertakes arts and crafts educational work to inspire passion for ‘making’ in young people. Claire says of her practice: ‘I am by nature an anthropologist with a deep interest in people and the diversity of situations and circumstances in which they live. I am interested in researching and recording these everyday lives and stories, presenting  the findings in a visual and accessible form. The tactile nature of fabric is, to me, key to the communication of the story. As people we have a special relationship with fabric, it can provide very strong visual and emotional associations. I try to tap into these associations in order to draw the viewer into the story. I  use my own research throughout my work, translating my findings through text, photographs, drawing, stitch and colour. I often accompany my pieces with handmade and digitally printed books.’

www.claireblackburn.com

www.socialfabricarts.com