Conversations with Textiles - III

In advance of our exhibition we asked all of our members to describe their Conversations with Textiles. We are linking this with an Instagram week when that artist will share some of their process and work. @curious_threads

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Liz Howlett

Sometimes it’s only by moving outside your own culture that you can see the part that textiles play in our lives. Moving to Ghana I noticed the importance of fabrics. The wealth and variety of textiles was apparent. A length of cloth could be a head wrap, a shawl, a dress or a sling to carry a baby. No stitching required! Lengths of cloth are prized, given as dowry, tribute, and passed down through the family. 

This awakened my conversation with fabric, I wanted to use it and work with it.  I went to visit a batik fabric maker, Esther. She designed her fabrics as a 6’ length with complementary patterns at each end to aid costume designers. Her colour palette was luscious. 

Inspired by the possibilities she demonstrated, on return to UK I started my journey on a C&G patchwork and quilting course. I quickly went on to dyeing and printing my own fabrics. 

I am now using old fabrics repurposing them with dye and printing of my own to start new conversations with old textiles. 
Liz Howlett