Ancient Threads in a Digital Wasteland

Abstract

My aim within this project was to research, explore and interrogate examples of ancient and historic folk embroidery to better understand their importance as a form of communication and language to influence my own contemporary narrative embroidery practice. Many embroideries in the historical record use patterns, images, iconography and symbology that were intended to confer metaphysical protection on the people, places, and objects they dressed. Considering this stitched, communicative response to external stressors – be they magical, physical, environmental or political, led to the design of a body of contemporary narrative embroidery that held the intention of sparking dialogue around the more socio-political threats faced in the modern world, and the tangible psychological benefits of engaging in a craft practice as an antidote – a way of creating our own protective magic, after all.