The idea for this challenge was to push the boundaries to discover what Recycling means to individual artists.
With so much waste accumulating in our environment it is the right time to challenge each other to find ways of reusing these resources. Reuse is so much at the heart of the patchwork, quilting and embroidery ethic.
Each of the six Stitch Witches has made one piece of her own to a 27" x 45" size. On seeing this, the other five Witches have made responses. The six quilts have five smaller ones hanging alongside belonging to the same theme. These responses are purely personal.
Recycling has been interpreted in many different ways through this challenge. We have emotional, socio- political, cultural and literal interpretations but each piece of work has revealed a different journey from the artists' points of view. All of them together provide and insight into 21st Century life with all its ups and downs.
As a group with such diverse skills, we encourage movement out of our comfort zones, that results in fun, yet mature, resolved work.
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"Blue Denim/Pink Frock" by Kate Dowty 27" x 45" (68.6cm x 114.3cm) Disliking waste, I recycle and choose recycled products. However, I found this project very difficult. I understood the constraints concerning size and use of recycled materials but was unaware of the requirement to explore the theme of recycling itself. I am unhappy with this piece though impressed by the "responses". The Responses ^ Top |
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"Red Red Wine" by Julia Gahagan 27" x 45" (68.6cm x 114.3cm) My piece was made in memory of my Mum who died of cancer 4 years ago. I used wine labels from the numerous bottles of red wine consumed in our household. My Mum and I shared many bottles of red wine, with one or two very expensive bottles consumed on a hot summer's evening after a family BBQ - such pleasant memories. The words of the UB40's song, "Red Red Wine" represent my feelings after she died. The Responses ^ Top |
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"Waste Not..." by Lois Bellew 27" x 45" (68.6cm x 114.3cm) My personal struggle with excess packaging, which, in my opinion, is obscene and unecessary, has inspired me to experiment with it as a resource. My love of the log cabin design, which represents homemaking and comfort, has resulted in this haphazard piece which reflects the unchecked problem we have today. The Responses ^ Top |
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"Sairiyou" by Lee Paget 27" x 45" (68.6cm x 114.3cm) I was given a book of curtain samples that I decided to use for my recycled piece. With samples being of a limited size, I went for a Japanese design of three panels. This then changed to four panels with the centre panels being joined. Pine trees etc. were added and limited amount of quilting. The Responses ^ Top |
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"A Journey" by Terry Donaldson 27" x 45" (68.6cm x 114.3cm) Having always been fascinated by maps, I don't like to throw them away once they are out of date. This piece uses a modified map to reflect on life's journey and the influences and choices that can have such a great impact on it. We are lucky if we get a second chance. The Responses ^ Top |
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"All Tied up in Knots" by Maryel Cowell 27" x 45" (68.6cm x 114.3cm) I originally intended to use denim with silk ties but, eventually, decided to use men's striped shirts and the ties. As a traditional, rather than contemporary quilter, the shirts lent themselves to a stripey format and the silk ties easily became a Celtic Knot. Charity shops and friends supplied all I needed for this challenge. The Responses ^ Top |
