7th - 9th September (while acknowledging 11th)

As part of a panel of three papers, I presented with Kate Irvin, Curator of Costume and Textiles, RISD Museum and Nakeia Medcalf, Graduate student in Architecture at Making and Unmaking the Environment: Design History Society Annual Conference 2017, Universityof Oslo.

The panel’s theme explored “Repair, Textiles, and Contemporary Design” and initiated a deep investigation into the lessons that worldwide practices of mending offer designers today. The presentations reflected upon various objects and efforts that have brought the material act of mending to the forefront of creative dialogues along with exploring the conceptual and creative potential unleashed by the physical act of mending.

My paper was entitled Filling the Void and begins as follows:

When I was growing up, all the women in my house were using needles. I've always had a fascination with the needle, the magic power of the needle. The needle is used to repair damage. It's a claim to forgiveness. It is never aggressive.

Louise Bourgeois

I was also brought up in an environment whereby women held this magic power of the needle. Their expertise was used to fashion and tailor beautiful garments and applied to make alterations and adjustments so that an item of clothing could fit the body more flatteringly or suitably depending upon the need.

And so it continued..........