About
I am a textile artist and designer working with woven textiles. Walking and a connection to place form the narrative behind my work. I enjoy the parallels between walking and weaving; how the slowness and movement of walking are echoed in the repetition and rhythms of the weaving process making each a mindful and meditative practice. Walking in the beautiful Norfolk landscape, I gather plants for natural dye and make drawings in response to the textures and patterns within the landscape. These colours and drawings combine with experimental play with found materials to inform my woven work.
Conscious of the volume of waste sent to landfill each year and the need to value our natural resources, I explore responsible textiles and circular design. I work with only natural materials, often those that are locally found or re-purposed from other design processes. From the outset of each project, I consider the life cycle of materials to create work that can be reclaimed or will biodegrade so no waste is left behind.
Awards
Developing Your Creative Practice (ACE) award 2021
Fine Art Textiles Award - Shortlisted 2020
Crafts Council Hothouse 2020
Dubery Brogden East Anglia Art Fund Scholarship 2017
Bradford Textile Society, Woolmark Company Award, 1st prize 2016
Angela Houston Award for Textiles 2015 + 2016
Press
Design Nation Blog: Interview
Design Nation: Barbara’s Blog #7
The Earth Issue: Conscious Textiles feature
Warp and Weft Field Notes: Interview
Teaching
2020- Lecturer - Textile Design, Norwich University of the Arts
2019 Graduate Academic Assistant, Norwich University of the Arts
Education
2019 Norwich University of the Arts, MA Textile Design with distinction
2017 Norwich University of the Arts, BA Textile Design: First Class