The WI
This project began in collaboration with The Women's Institute, a female led organisation centred around community and working together inspire and support people as well as coming together to make a difference.
My work
The WI support and run a large range of campaigns including 'Make a match', which is focussed on raising awareness for the need for blood stem cell donations, to be used in treatment for severe blood disorders such as blood cancers. There are many misconceptions surrounding this topic, therefore the aim of my project was to provide some clarity around blood stem cell donation (especially the process) with the end goal being to educate and encourage people to find ways to help with this matter.
Using playful but blunt imagery, I have highlighted blood as a key element and emphasised the forming of connections. The imagery is also a hint at the fact that most donations are taken from blood (90%) rather than being extracted from bone as the majority of people nervously assume.
As my work progressed, a quiet sensitivity developed through delicate lines and complex connections. I found further inspiration in nature, examining the tiny intricate networks of veins in small dried up leaves.
Having developed a body of visuals using a range of mediums and a distinct colour palette- a small selection which although obvious, sends a clear message- I translated these into my woven textiles. This project was during the pandemic therefore I did not have access to specialist equipment, however I am fortunate to own a rigid heddle which I used to create my textile samples. My ideas culminated as a collection of woven samples (see slideshow below) designed to communicate the core element of blood stem cell donation - blood. As well as this, the imagery produced is suggestive of the passing and exchange of healthy/spent blood and the connections made between the donor and recipient.
My final collection of samples were woven on a rigid heddle using mainly 2/16s mercerised cotton, with the occasional use of a thicker viscose yarn as I felt the metallic quality and fluidity lent itself quite well to the subject of blood. The weave is quite open as the reeds I could obtain were not fine enough for the yarn, however the open structure creates a fine and delicate quality, as well as a lacy appearance conveying networks and connections. As I did not have multiple shafts on my loom, all the patterns were hand picked into the weave, exploring both regular and irregular forms and floats to provide texture and dimension.