From Brutalism to Nature: A Textile Collage Journey

Techniques: traditional hand embroidery stitches and needle beading

Nature of the City is a series of textile collage wall pieces exploring the relationship between the urban and natural landscape: the Brutalist architecture estate, the Brunswick Centre in central London and the largest natural area in the City, Hampstead Heath in particular.

Using images taken whilst walking in these locations as a starting point, the pieces explore how these seemingly opposing environments overlap. Time spent in these places resulted in seeing how the marks left on the concrete after construction resemble tree rings and bark; limescale build-up from the constant dripping of an overflow pipe creates a feeling of white blossom; the outline of plants having been grown against the walls appear as ghost forests. 

Materials: cotton organdie with silk, cotton, voile, linen, ripstock nylon patchwork, vintage lace; silk and cotton threads; glass & plastic beads; sequins; fabric paint

The resulting collages create a hybrid, utopian landscape that is prevalent in many cities and those living there will seek out for themselves to find a balance in their daily lives.  The final pieces are hand embroidered and embellished using only deadstock fabrics and materials.  The creation of these is a considered process involving the layering of fabrics, materials and techniques to gain the textures and surfaces required. 

Nature of the City is an ongoing body of work made up of many small collages. Versions have been shown already at Collect represented by Ruup & Form and at Future Icons Selects during London Craft Week, 2023.

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