Here is another opportunity given to me to tell you about textile arts. In the first part , I expressed what I think is the textile art in the broadest sense . What I search using textiles in my creations is the ability to create , without rules , freely drawing on everything that inspires us to speak on various topics.

Today I want to talk of inspiration, looking for a solid theme that anchors us in our creation. And what better than a good personal example to illustrate my point ? This year , I realized a longtime dream: to return to school. I completed a diploma in Visual Arts at Cégep Marie- Victorin in May 2016. At the end of my studies, we had to create what is called a ” program assessment ” which is the creation of a work that will reflect the result of my learning during these two years in textile art.

When I say “anchor” in a work or creation, it is the element that will give all its strength to that work. I witnessed a show of solidarity with my colleagues; and it is this element that defined my creation. Moreover , this is what the cartel of the work mentioned:

Title: Social Fabric

This installation evokes, by a work of construction and demolition, the disintegration of the current social fabric; and because I witnessed an outpouring of solidarity between feminine colleagues, my reflection then took all its direction. I asked each of my colleagues to give me a piece of fabric, adding a collaborative and community sense to the installation (work). The installation consists of three parts. The white dress refers to the female body , its white color symbolizes several key events in the life and in society . The embroidery work by the tangle of cotton threads and various fiber illustrates the degradation of the social fabric , and the pieces of recycled textile quilt on the ground are the surges of solidarity still present in our community.

 

To see the installation and also the video of his production “ESP 2016” on my Facebook page , click the link below : www.facebook.com/sylvielajoieartistetextile/videos Several artists can also inspire us. For my part, I had my first love for textile arts by finding; by chance, a book of the French artist Gisèle Acker. I was looking for a way to use artistically fabrics and seeing her work I thought: ” That is exactly where I want to go with my art work. ” Thereafter, I explored different techniques and found my own “artistic ways. ” We must also understand that to be inspired is not copied. Besides, what interest do we have in copying? What is sweet about creating is this artistic flow that tickles us and moves us forward , that little voice that whispers : ” Well, keep going, it’s a good start ” and what satisfaction it brings us when the final work matches our expectations.

Production of British artists Cas Holmes (www.casholmes.textilearts.net/) and Anne Kelly (www.annekellytextiles.com/) is a perfect example of personal artistic process assumed. Closer to home , Anna Torma, living in New Brunswick, is a textile artist who uses drawings of her children to create monumental embroideries. (www.annatorma.com/index.html). Have a look at these Scottish Association of artists whose work is all different but so inspiring : (www.edge-textileartistsscotland.com/). There is another very interesting group also in Great Britain : Made in Britain (www.arttextilesmadeinbritain.co.uk/) . You will discover more artists on the website “Textile artist” (www.textileartist.org/) . Pinterest is of course a site with ideas, but it is only visual and sometimes with links to the projects. You can read about the approach of the artists and their biographies, it is interesting to discover the basis of their work.

 

I will stop here with this non-exhaustive list, as you surely understand where I am going with this. Look what the other artists do or create, visit exhibitions and museums and absorb it all in and let it inspire your own ideas. This is a good way to create personal and unique works and/or creations.

Good creative research and see you next time!

Sylvie Lajoie

Website: http://sylvieviola.com/

Facebook Page : www.facebook.com/sylvielajoieartistetextile/