Blog

Date: March 23, 1:30pm

Location: Due to COVID-19 precautions this event will be held on Zoom.  Watch this space for the meeting ID.

Cost: This is a free lecture open to all.  Tickets are not required.

About the talk:

Susan Purney Mark writes, “In April 2019 I was privileged to attend a month-long textile focused residency at the Icelandic Textile Centre in Blondúös, Iceland. This land of “fire and ice” was an inspiring locale to explore my concept of “textile book forms” a purposely loose term that embraced both implied text and language in stitch and print with dimensional shapes that resemble books as constructions.

I  use “found” textiles in my work – from thrift shops or friends which are already imbued with a memory ….maybe the linen tablecloth that dressed the dinner table at every Sunday dinner? Or perhaps grandpa’s favourite old cotton shirt? With each textile I wish to honour the story hidden in the threads while adding another layer of my own narrative.

“Cloth to codex”  was a subtitle to my work …..through alteration with paint, dye, marks, and stitch, the initial fabric takes on a different nature, and my found fabrics are imbued with new thoughts —- discrete, private willingly unreadable. The bindings were twigs and nails that I found during a walk or threads that I’d dyed, sometimes paper or other materials are incorporated into my work.

Join me as I show you the landscapes that inspired and formed my work, hear about the unique country that is incredibly supportive of the arts, and see the work that was produced during this time and that I continue to create.”

There will also be some items for sale hand dyed threads, fabric packs, CDs, fabric journals and textile painted canvas bags; prices – $8 – 65 – cash or cheque accepted, NO credit cards.

About Susan Purney Mark

As a textile artist, Susan has embarked on a life transforming journey into the world of colour, design and pattern. Working with textiles has become her method of self expression and the focus of her methods of communication.

She has studied Design, Patchwork and Embroidery with the prestigious City & Guilds Institute of London, England and has studied with internationally acclaimed teachers/quilt makers Nancy Crow, Jan Meyers Newbury, Elin Noble, Gail Harker and Ruth Issett. Susan has also been awarded two Certificates in Art and Design and Textile Design/Decoration from the Gail Harker Creative Studies Centre in Washington, USA.

Susan has spent the last 20 years learning, experimenting and finally teaching a variety of surface design techniques in dyeing, painting, screen printing and image transfers. Most recently she has focused on soy wax resists and her work is known for its use of contemporary design and materials.

Susan is an active member of the fibre arts community in British Columbia, Canada and is a member of national/ international fibre and surface design associations and is a qualified quilt judge.