Cultivation

Artist Statement

Darren trained in Fashion Textiles, specialising in hand-knit. His framed embroideries are largely inspired by the photographs illustrating the knitting patterns in his collection of 1940s Stitchcraft magazines. His work references the domestic making of the period and our current recognition of the importance of wellbeing and making.

Cultivation is embroidered onto a vintage handkerchief. The gardener, still in his tie and pinstripe trousers is purged of the stresses of the working day as he gardens. Found embroidery from the period adds actual examples of domestic stitch. The sweater is hand-knitted and sequined using a floral palette. Transfer designs from December 1931 issue of ‘Good Needlework’ magazine add stylized floral imagery and link the domestic creativity of embroidery and gardening.