Woven through Experience

MA Textile Design: Chelsea College of Art

Woven through experience

The traditions of craft are beginning to regain contemporaneous value and appreciation, and with this, a new dialogue surrounding the value of these lost artforms. The practices of craft increasingly correlate with progressive agendas of liberation, individualisation, environmental sustainability and locally rooted ethical production and consumption (Levine and Heimerl 2008). 

The project highlights the holistic nature of the urban environment. By studying social mechanisms we can achieve a better understanding of the traditions behind craft and their social and environmental significance. By bringing light to this conversation, ‘Woven through experience’ emphasises the importance of conserving these traditions and understand the interactions they are grounded on. I believe that a better understanding in this area will improve our abilities to make responsible decisions as sustainable and ethical designers. 

‘Woven through Experience’ investigates the use of craft as a tool for social interaction. It looks into the relationships between maker and tool, and investigates the origins of craft within communities and offers an alternative way of thinking and making; a simple, inexpensive and invaluable skill that can be utilised by all. 

After a 4month research trip to Mexico and Guatemala, I became interested in the weaving techniques of the backstrap loom. 

I hand carved 7 portable backstrap looms from British Oak and have hosted free workshops throughout London over the summer 2019. The result of the project exhibited a series of long and narrow pieces, attached together and displayed on a bespoke timber frame. The final piece of fabric has been woven by 117 people, all with varying experiences and backgrounds. This project aims to educate and bring together communities through the practice of craft and showcases this idea through the traditional weaving techniques of the Backstrap loom.