Table Runner 2
This project has been my main focus recently as my collaboration with weaver Ismini Samanidou intensifies! Recent developments include some further refinements to the clay palette based on the initial woven samples made by Ismini on the jacquard loom. I particularly liked the section woven from digital images of some of the spoons in the collection and have been working the clay to try and capture these characteristics.
Bygones spoon, worn and distorted through endless stirring
Bygones spoon with the initials of an unknown family
Cloth samples being woven on the jacquard loom
Detail of Bygones spoon woven into cloth
Translating the woven cloth back into clay
Exploring overlays of stained clay
clay colour sample responding to woven cloth
We have also been playing with ways in which text from the archive letters may be brought in to the composition. In one of the letters there is a handwritten inventory of spoons sent by Mary to the collection. We have been playing around with somehow combining this alongside images of spoons from the collection into the cloth.
Digitally overlaying the spoon inventory over the spoon
spoon inventory on computer screen as part of the designing and weaving process
woven spoon inventory
It’s all looking very promising but there are still a number of refinements to be made. We are still trying to achieve greater subtlety and richness. The cloth samples to date are still a bit too graphic visually. We want to work on that and move toward a more abstract outcome, at least in parts. Physically the cloth is a little too thin and mean so we want to explore further combinations of yarns to yield a thicker fabric with a richer texture. We also want to warm up the colour palette a touch and perhaps introduce some creams, golds to reflect the colour palette of the range of metal spoons such as pewter and brass. So still plenty to do but all very exciting! Sharon
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