Artist Statement
I am a Birmingham based artist who works in thread.
I am influenced by the traditional craft of hand-embroidery but my style of work puts a contemporary spin on threadwork. My practice challenges the boundaries of thread being perceived as a material not worthy of fine art status.
Historically thread hasn't been given a space within fine art, deemed 'amateur' or something restricted to the domestic. I work with thread in a way that attempts to elevate the material as a medium that sits comfortably within a fine art sphere.
I see thread as my pencil or paintbrush; exploring the versatility of thread, in ways that means it intrudes into other mediums. I use the line of thread to draw, I build up layers of thread in colour to create form, light, and shadow. And bring thread out into the 3D space to push the work into the sculptural realm.
My love for thread happens in the process of making. The nails are a means to an end – they merely act as anchor points for the thread. My excitement comes from building up layers of thread, to witnessing the facial features coming together, and the emotion behind those faces becoming apparent.
The length of the nails means the work sits between the 2D and 3D. On initial inspection the work appears to be flat against the board, as the viewer gets closer they see the lines of thread hover slightly above the surface. The image is not quite 2D, not quite 3D. Occupying this space encourages me to push the work deeper into the 3D space. This is seen in works like “Joanna” and “I” and "VII"
Within my work I attempt to create a tension between the threaded portrait and the painterly background. I paint large rounded brushstrokes prior to threading. I like the unpredictability of this method; the brushstrokes are chaotic, irregular and playful, and this contrasts well with the threaded portraits which focus on technical ability, and are angular, refined and precise in detail.
CV
07833471370 | info@imogenembroidery.co.uk
Education
Kingston University | First Class | BA (Hons) Fine Art & Art History | 2013
University of Gloucestershire | Merit | Art & Design Foundation Diploma | 2010
Solo Exhibitions
2022 | Digbeth Art Space “In Flux” | Birmingham, UK
2022 | Degreeart Gallery “Meet The Artist” | Bankside Hotel, London UK
2019 | Digbeth Art Space “ThreadBare” | Birmingham, UK
Group Exhibitions
2022 | Eastside Projects, “Summer Camp Show” | Birmingham, UK
2022 | RBSA Gallery, “Prize Exhibition 2022” | Birmingham, UK
2022 | Cosimo Art, "Something's Brewing" | Birmingham UK
2022 | RBSA Gallery, “Friends Open Exhibition” | Birmingham, UK
2022 | New Art Gallery Walsall, “West Midlands Open” | Walsall, UK
2021 | Ikon Gallery, “Ikon for Artists” | Birmingham, UK
2021 | The Artist Lounge, “In the History” King House Gallery | Stratford-Upon-Avon, UK
2021 | Boomer Gallery “Vogue Second Edition” | London, UK
2021 | Digbeth Art Space “Show Vend II” | Birmingham, UK
2019 | Digbeth Art Space, “ShowVend” | Birmingham, UK
2018 | The Anchor Gallery, “For the Love of Art” | Birmingham, UK
2015 | Compton Verney Art Gallery “Museums at Night” | Compton Verney, UK
2015 | General Practice, “ArtHole” | Lincoln, UK
2013 | Kingston University “Degree Show” | Kingston Upon Thames, UK
2013 | Stanley Picker Gallery Publication Launch of S&M | Kingston Upon Thames, UK
2012 | The Centre of Useless Splendour “SEMI” | Kingston Upon Thames, UK
Prizes
2022 | Highly Commended in “Prize Exhibition 2022” RBSA Gallery | Birmingham, UK
2021 | Third Place in The Artist Lounge, “In the History” King House Gallery | Stratford-Upon-Avon, UK
2012 | Highly Commended in 3D Category “Self Portrait Competition” The Art Yard | Birmingham, UK
Residencies
July - September 2022 | Artist in Residence, Degreeart Gallery, Bankside Hotel | London, UK
2020 - Current | Artist in Residence, Digbeth Art Space | Birmingham, UK
Gallery Representation
2022 - Present | Seventh Circle | Birmingham, UK
2021 – Present | DegreeArt Gallery | London, UK
202 - Present | Digbeth Art Space | Birmingham, UK
Public Commissions
2020 | “Eyes” Art Quarter | Birmingham, UK
2019 | “Mary Lee Berners-Lee” Portrait | Innovation Birmingham Campus for the West Midlands Women in Tech Awards | Birmingham, UK
Grants
2022 | Create Grant for “In Flux” exhibition funded by STEAMhouse
2019 | Materials Grant for “ThreadBare” exhibition funded by Eaton Fund
2016 | “Stitch Together” Quilt Community Project funded by O2 Think Big
