Winchester Discovery Centre Commission

Installation November 2007

'Looking Forwards to the Past'

A major public artwork in embroidery, commissioned on a scale which has never previously been undertaken. The work which measures 16.5 x 3m is an embroidered panel, narrative in theme which seeks to use machine embroidery as a drawing tool, and a means of construction. A densely stitched surface will contain a variety of approaches, and integrate pieces produced by others as part of the design.

I am using the huge foyer wall as a blank canvas. From outside the building you will see a wall of glowing colour, which references the Winchester Bible; reds, lapis blue, green, brown and gold. The threads are mixed together throughout with metallics, so that the whole surface will shimmer and glow. I have used the starting point of the Winchester Bible as the subject, to suggest small groups of activity. There are people and objects, both resonant and relatable, contemporary and historic, and familiar and invented. It should be a work which has a relevance to different age groups and experiences. Huge faces contain groups of figures, patterned sections float into the background. All come together to create a sweep of colour and imagery.

I want to make a piece that is powerful and beautiful. The size and time scale of the work has required the research and development both in terms of new stitch practice, and the establishment of a studio situation where graduates from Manchester Metropolitan University and Winchester School of Art, are involved in production. It is a process which integrates different machine produced stitch, such as multi head computerised machine, free machine embroidery, the use of the Irish machine, and the omni stitch machine. The work will be constructed in sections, to make a huge composite, and collaged work.

A document in film is to be undertaken at MMU

An educational project will run alongside the production of the work, run by Winchester Gallery.

Photography courtesy of James Newell and Joe Low.

A studio practice now undertakes commissions on this scale. We would be happy to discuss future projects.

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Photo of assistant Ching - Wen Hsu.