Dolls & Soft Sculpture
My past work was an exploration of identity through raw patchwork, applique and hand stitching. I used a variety of fabrics piecing them together in a many layered narrative that builds on my search for self.
My process concentrated on layering and building up, for both construction and decoration.
I used colour, pattern and poetry to create my pieces. I mixed commercial fabrics will my own batik and hand drawn and printed fabrics. Beads, buttons, found and collected objects are often used as decoration.
Dolls (click on photo to see full image)
Dolls are in every society. They are symbolic, spiritual, educational, consoling and connecting. I used three elements in the process of making my dolls.
- Intuition, adhocism and meditation
These three elements within the doll making process allow for freedom.
Intuition is non conscious decision making.
Adhocism is using the materials that you have available at the time, to create something without structured techniques.
Stitch meditation is rhythmically stitching by hand. The rhythm of the stitch being your focal point in the meditation practice.
This allows an emergence of self in an un-prescribed manner - a journey not a destination. You will often hear doll makers say the doll told me what she wanted.
This of course is your subconscious directing the conscious and allowing the message to appear in the form of the doll.
Each doll teaches us something new. The expressions, postures and gestures reveal: emotions, feelings and elements that are intrinsically personal.
- Some are revealing
- Some are healing.
- Some are transformational
- Some are empowering.
Sculptures (click on photo to see full image)
