Dialogues…

threads - susi bancroftI just mentioned this image on the Brunel Broderers blog

Rich dialogue as usual between us whilst working – this was what I was stitching

susi bancroft kantha in progressKay mentions our meeting on her own blog – here

One of the topics was about artist’s pre-occupations, fascinations – when did these begin, was it in childhood or beyond, and what connections do we make and notice?

I have been sorting out my studio and delving into collections, sketchbooks, samples and found a photo I took a few years ago which reminded me of my recent kantha work…

Hearts for Valentines Day…

A stormy day again …  are the birds safe I wonder? The snowdrops are dancing madly in the wind…

susi Bancroft snowdrops

Valentines Day was traditionally called ‘the birds wedding day’ but ooh, I do hope ours are tucked away and I have great concern for people out in the cold and wet or without home or heat.

Paper hearts, paper thin  – fragile and strong – linked.. joined they are stronger… the threads stitched as kisses throughout their centres. As a child I used to spend hours cutting chains of paper dolls especially when ill in bed – they scattered across the eiderdown – and this unfolded into my mind at a recent workshop – have a read of this Heart Space post for explanation and this Heart Space one too! Janet Haigh‘s mention of the strength of repetition made me reflect, as did her suggestion and reference to the cross stitches as tiny kisses…

susibancroft hearts 4

The sound of the needle piercing the paper and the thread running through – the trailing threads suspended in the air – reaching out, the tell tale elements of my practice make the work flow… There are links to this – threads and for hearts here and again here and audio pieces here and here and also a further couple of posts here and here!

susibancroft hearts 5

And so, I have been making, and woke with a special sense of anticipation – to film my offering to the birds, fluttering paper stitched hearts beating in the storm – confetti but joined – chains linked create a strength in this world

Hearts and rhythms are a theme in my practice too, and so a workshop captures something renewed in paper cutting, and connections in threads stitch sounds and more…

Susi Bancroft Paper heart chain from Susi Bancroft on Vimeo. The film definition is better quality on the vimeo link!!!!

keeping making…

It is growing – promise! One of the best things about making for someone especially is that all the time you concentrate on making, you are thinking about them…

The beautiful heart cushion on the chair was designed and made by one of my nieces for her grandmother. And now after that pause, I will take this piece up and begin again!
Only thing is, my big cat seems to love this one and keeps edging onto it at any opportunity….!

Hearts – Drawing Together

This work was made as part of a deeply moving project where listening and receiving were the real essence – of which more sometime …

Drawing Together – A Creativity Works Exhibition

Saturday 8, Sunday 9, Tuesday 11 & Wednesday 12 October 2011

Two groups of people were introduced at a distance by artist Deborah Aguirre Jones; responding to each other’s drawings, they began a conversation, becoming known to each other without meeting face to face.

An exhibition of drawings by women undergoing times of transition, and contemporary artists based in Bristol and Bath.

Catalogue with texts from: François Matarasso, Deborah Aguirre Jones and John Hammersley

More later, more links to come ….

Centrespace Gallery Leonard Lane Bristol BS1 1EA

www.centrespacegallery.com

Making a new journey

Embarking on a new journey – sharing my creative thinking, a visual diary of progress and reflection.

It will take me some time to piece and layer and reveal my work on these pages.

Where do I come from? Where to begin? Heart rhythms, pulling at my heart strings –  generations of family: making, connecting, thinking through hands.

This piece was exhibited as part of my work in the Brunel Broderers show ‘Curious Drawers’ at the Stroud International Textile Festival in May 2010 here. More of the BB’s later