natashamcgregorregeneration

[natashamcgregorregeneration]

Final photo shoot.

I decided to make a stand that I could show my work of from, for the stand I wanted it to be white due to me mainly only using the colours white, green and purple in my work. To make the stand I used one of the exhibition plinths, I designed a book cradle that could hole the book and the growth to really show case the colours and decomposition of it. my main focus was to show the growth that emerges from the elements of decay, I think using the white stands really helps for it to stand out. I used a plain black background so that it was easy to focus on the main piece and helps it stand out a lot. 

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Final print shibori

For my final design shibori I used the same technique as previous designs where I used different shaped marbles and buttons then used string to secure the shape before steaming in the steamer for around 30 mins- 1 hour. I think it turned out well as I think that I steamed it for the perfect amount of time due to the shibori keeping its 3D textured shapes. I think it relates to my theme of regeneration well as it looks like something growing from the ground.

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Making stuffed fabric leaves

To make these leaves I used the free embroidery foot on the sewing machine and then I used some simple calico and black sewing thread. The first step was to get two pieces of fabric and free embroider onto both of them together so one fabric piece layered onto of the other, for the stitching I made a light drawing in pencil which meant that I could then follow that to make the stitching more abstract. For the stuffing I used the sewing machine for the majority of it then towards the end I stuffed the fabric and hand sewed the rest to close it up.  

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book burning

for my base of my final design I wanted to use an old book so therefore I went to a charity shop and i chose an old book with a fabric hard back cover as I thought that that would give it a more old look to it. To go with my research on Chernobyl and the theme of regeneration I wanted to make the book look as if it has been decaying for a long period of time. For the book burning I used a very large flame and randomly burnt pages in places and also the cover. I like how this turned out as I think it gives a very antique vibe to it and also makes the book look as if it has been burnt in a house fire years ago. 

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day 3 of creating my final design

for day 3 I created a boro design, to do this I used a range of different materials and fabrics. for my base I used a thick white material which was very sturdy and rather hard to sew into when embroidering. for my other fabrics I wanted to keep the colour theme simple by using white, purple and green as this matches with my mirror print design well. For my mirror print fabric I decided to layer it and use a plain white cotton underneath due to the mirror print fabric being very sheer and I thought it would be easier to sew the two together first and then to attach to the more sturdy fabric. I included some random embroidery into my boro as this adds more texture to the piece. 

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day 2 of creating my final design

For day 2 I created my mirror printed patchwork. To start with I played around with different designs to see which would be best in height and width. I chose a hexagon shape as I like how they slot into each other and create a cool design. when cutting my fabric I tried to make sure that I included an even amount of the purple and green. To create my patchwork I placed the hexagon stencil onto the fabric with patten side down and stencil onto top, cut roughly around 2cm of extra fabric around the shape so that it would be easier to sew when needing to sew the corners one by one to make the stencil stay in. once I had cut out all my fabric stencils I then sewed them all together to create a patchwork sample. I like how my patchwork turned out as I like the colourful design that was created and the earthy, mysterious tones to It. 

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day 1 of creating my final design

On day one I created my weave, to do this I used very earthy toned coloured threads such as white, dark green and also a moss coloured green as I think that these colours show my theme of regeneration well and also tie in with my research on Chernobyl as for my research I focused it mainly on the decay and rebirth of the nature life. Continuing with the topic of natural life I decided to incorporate parts of tree bark, branches and also a few tiny flowers into my weave as I thought that this would show a much more elevated view into my theme. To finish off my weave I used some of my final design mirror print fabric, I only wanted to use a small amount of this due to me using the same fabric to create other things and I didn't want to over power it too much. I really like how well all the colours go together from the white flower petals to the white thread and the green thread to match with the green in my mirror print fabric. I'm really happy with how this turned out as I think it represents the theme of reborn nature. 

[natashamcgregorregeneration]

research on a range of fiber artists that create installation pieces

1. Toni Brogan

Toni Brogran makes soft sculptures through weaving and macrame techniques. She also explores a wide variety of materials, challenging what can go into a weaving. Much of her work focuses on a neutral color palette creating contrast through texture.

2. Caroline Achaintre 

Caroline creates abstract fiber pieces through the process of hand-tufting wool. Her pieces look like soft paintings and are often organic shapes.

3. Andrea Donnelly

Andrea Donnelly both weaves and creates detailed drawings of weavings. Her weaving, like her drawings, is intricate and detailed. She creates image, text, and pattern one line at a time. Donnelly creates a pattern in her work through Ikat dying. She also will weave a piece, then unweave it, only to re-weave it into its final form, watching the pattern emerge through the process. 

4. Isabella Despujols

Isabella Despujols draws with thread, stitching abstract works on paper that fool the eye. She also creates abstract mixed-media pieces combining acrylic paint and embroidery. Her work is a great way for students to explore line and color.

5. Twill Hill

Agata is the artist behind Twill Hill. She weaves on a floor loom using a variety of techniques to create pattern and texture. She creates functional pieces with her woven fabric, like clutches and pillows, while also weaving abstract compositions to hang on the wall.

6. Vanessa Barragao

Vanessa Barragao creates rugs, wall hangings, and tapestries. By using large amounts of water and toxic dyes, the textile industry can wreak havoc on the environment. In response, Barragao sources materials for her work by collecting and using waste yarn. Vanessa uses a wide range of textile techniques like crochet, felting, and tufting. 

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final design ideas

here are a wide range of images that show different ways I can incorporate fiber textiles into my final design piece. 

[natashamcgregorregeneration]

Chernobyl research

The Chernobyl disaster occurred on April 25 and 26, 1986, at the Chernobyl nuclear power station in the Soviet Union. It is one of the worst disasters in the history of nuclear power generation. The Chernobyl disaster occurred when technicians at nuclear reactor Unit 4 attempted a poorly designed experiment. They shut down the reactor's power-regulating system and its emergency safety systems, and they removed control rods from its core while allowing the reactor to run at 7 percent power. These mistakes, compounded by others, led to an uncontrolled chain reaction that resulted in several massive explosions. Some sources state that two people were killed in the initial explosions of the Chernobyl disaster, whereas others report that the figure was closer to 50. Dozens more contracted serious radiation sickness; some of these people later died. In addition, thousands of deaths from radiation-induced illnesses and cancer were expected years later. The Chernobyl disaster caused serious radiation sickness and contamination. Between 50 and 185 million curies of radionuclides escaped into the atmosphere. Millions of acres of forest and farmland were contaminated, livestock was born deformed, and humans suffered long-term negative health effects.

Chernobyl’s exclusion zone isn’t devoid of life. wolves, boars and bears have returned to the forests surrounding the old nuclear plant in northern Ukraine. And when it comes to vegetation, all but the most vulnerable and exposed  plant life survived. Even in the most radioactive areas of the zone, vegetation was recovering within three years. Humans and other mammals and birds would have been killed many times over by the radiation that plants in the most contaminated areas received.

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design ideas

For my final design I wanted to create something more textile like rather than fashion as I much more prefer it. We came up with a variety of different designs that I could incorporate into my final piece such as weave, shibori, embroidery and much more. For my project research I wanted to connect my project to the topic of Chernobyl as I wanted to include the idea of decay and the regeneration of the environment and world. I wanted to make a ‘exploding’ book which would included all of my textile samples and the book itself would be designed to show decay over time.

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final print design fabric

I'm really happy with the way that my final design print came out like as I like the repeat mirror print pattern and the colours that are presented. My print came out better than I had expected which I am very happy about. I intend to use my print in lots of different ways which include shibori, incorporating into a weave and also patchwork. for my material I like how flexible and lightweight it is as its easy to move around and shape into the design I want.

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choosing my final design fabric

For my final design fabric I wanted to choose something that would be quite light weight and flimsy as I knew that I was going to be creating some shibori in my final piece. I chose between four different types of fabric from a range of silk to satin to canvas to drill. I wanted to use the canvas material as it is recycled canvas and fits the project of sustainability well, the only reason that I didn't end up using it was because the texture just wasn't as flimsy as what I was looking for. I decided to go with the drill fabric for my final piece as it had the perfect light, airy texture and it would be good to use when making my shibori as its easy to move around and will hold  its shape well. 

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creating my final mirror print design

To create my final design print I played around with a range of different cell images in photoshop changing the design and the colours around. I ended up creating three different final design which are all very different from each other. The first print I made I decided that I wanted it to be more earthy and environmental colours hence the green, I think the dark green represents moss and grass well which go with the environment subject and the purple gives it kind of a spooky vibe. For my second print I really like the colours that were created as I think that they are really fun and vibrant and also how uncommon they are in my work as I've never really used that colour palette before. For my third print this one was my personal favourite as I like the shape was created and I also like how the colours are subtle but still bright. I really like how the pink, greens and blue compliment each other well.

For my final design print I chose the first green and purple design as it went best with my project topic. I like how symmetrical the print is and how in the centre its purple and then towards the edges its green as I think that it looks really cool.  

[natashamcgregorregeneration]

weave

to create my weave I used a range of different coloured thread and materials, for my thread colour I chose to use a red, white and grey colour palette as I like how the white and grey made the red thread stand out. as you can see in my images I also used a multicoloured purple/blue/green toned thread but after I had done it I shortly removed it as I didn't think that it went very well with my design and I didn't like how the thread was thick and then thin as this gave it an uneven design. 

to add detailing to my work I used some natural sources such as tree bark and I also decided that I wanted to create small circle shapes with a hot glue gun to add texture. I like how my sample turned out as it looks very fun but if I was to change anything I think that I would have probably made a thicker weave as mine is very flimsy and delicate and I also think that I would have of chose a more neutral colour instead of red as it would of made my weave have more of a calmer vibe.

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Monica guilera

Mònica Guilera learnt basketmaking in the Catalan tradition combining willow and split european cane; with over 17 years of making and teaching experience she has a wide repertoire and enjoys designing contemporary functional baskets. One of Monica's specialities is the Nansa fishtrap technique that has been used by fisherman around the Mediterranean since ancient times, with deep roots and a modern sensibility Monica's work explores colour, form and pattern ideal for the contemporary home. Monica has received several prizes for her work both in Spain and the UK and exhibits and sells her work internationally. Download Mònica's biography here: Mònica Guilera CV

Artist and basketmaker team Mònica Guilera and Tim Johnson combine traditional and contemporary techniques using a wide variety of locally harvested natural materials to make functional and contemporary baskets, sculptures and large scale installations. Based in Catalonia they source their materials from the countryside and local growers, rigid materials including willow, cane and olive stems combine and contrast with soft materials like oat straw, esparto grass, rush and bark. Tim and Monica teach a wide variety of workshops to students of all ages, together they have worked on sculpture projects, exhibitions and residencies, and delivered workshops in Spain, France, Germany, Denmark and the UK.

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Holly Mcquillan

Holly is a new Zealand based zero waste fashion designer. Holly’s garments are simply created so that they can be easily modified when needed. Something that I find interesting about Hollys work is how in her lay plans she uses a colour coded technique, she does this to be able to know what piece goes with what garment as well as making theorem available for others to use for there own garments. I find Hollys work interesting and also slightly difficult to follow due to the amount of different modifications that can be created although her work is very sustainable.