When my sister visits she take great pride in rearranging the ‘Cushies.’ This physical presence of her contemplating her next move, appears like a draughts player with a new strategy.
The humble pin cushion is its own work of art, with a new artwork everyday. This re arranging is a bit like life. You need to make adjustments, change things up a little, make something appear new and different.
Maybe it’s become an interactive artwork.
Textures and threads draw me in. Seeing the composition of fabric and feeling it's textures is appealing. My mother was a milliner and the threads she used about 80 years ago are still in perfect condition. Seeing her handwriting is a special bonus.
June 1st signals the beginning of winter in New Zealand. Here is my 43rd ‘Cushy number' celebrating the colours of Autumn.
When I did my Diploma of Visual Art and Design at the Eastern Institute of Technology, it was all about the process. Take one stage at a time and develop that with drawings and once you have achieved multiple drawings choose one to develop into an artwork.
My brain works in a different way. I’m more an intuitive maker and don’t like the idea of a ‘onesie.’
To make many, is to give strength in numbers. A large picture of many parts that the viewer needs to keep visiting to understand and see the progression of my work. If it’s cohesive it flows and therefore there is more understanding about it. Most of my ideas come as I'm making one. The next idea develops and this progressive approach gives the collection. There is no distraction and the high level of focus and engagement usually results in a successful body of work. That's my goal anyway. Maybe its called obsessive art but for me its enjoyable.
‘Cushy Numbers’ are a collection of pin cushions that make craft into art. I was aiming for 20 but have produced so many more.
