As I look back at this first assignment in this course I am actually unsure as to how I feel about it – it has been a fascinating learning curve in terms of the research points, frustrating relating to the contextual research within the sampling/sketching exercise points and irritating in terms of my sketching abilities within those same exercises.

The research points I have found myself incredibly absorbed in but I am well aware that research is one of my strongest points and is also something that I really enjoy no matter what the subject.  I was not expecting the research into the traditional materials to be as interesting as the new materials but discovering the processes involved in companies such English Fine Textiles and in particular the importance they place on provenance and trace-ability of their products has been revealing and of personal interest as I am moving towards working with more organic and ethical fabrics and yarns.  I also found myself looking again at how traditional materials can be used in a contemporary context and again this ties in with wanting to use more ethical fabrics that many may consider traditional BUT at the same time the research into the new and innovative practitioners and materials proved equally interesting and enticing – it feels as if I am wanting to combine the two in my own studies and textile practice and I realise through this particular assignment that I will need to find a balance through careful research in order to do this.

I have long been aware that I am someone who is very much naturally process-led and due to having no set theme or concept to work on in this assignment has enabled me to carry on working on what I believe will be my specialism at level 3 – a concept of using dilapidated buildings as a narrative for chronic illness but this has caused its own set of problems.  I have really found myself struggling again with the sketching of my ideas in terms of their designs – my sketches feel very diagrammatic and lacking evidence of textures and even the atmosphere I have wanted to create.  I have written more in my sketchbook than I have in previous courses as this has been able to explain my thought processes behind the diagrammatic sketches which have been based on photographic imagery – this same imagery was used to create a project page for Exercises 1.3 and 1.5 which really kept me focused on my desired theme rather than letting my Asperger’s mind wander too far off the beaten track.

I have also struggled to find contemporary practitioners which may inform Exercises 1.3 and 1.5 which I am incredibly irritated with myself over as this is something I have struggled with in the past and have done extensive work on to correct and want to do so again.  I feel this lack of contextual research has let both exercises down when combined with the style of sketching I have done but at the same time I am generally happy with the resulting samples.

The samples themselves are on the whole most successful – the traditional materials ones do feel a little safe on reflection and I do feel I could have been more experimental but I will wait to see what my tutor feels about them before I do further work.  The Tyvek and Lutradur samples however I am really happy with – both were new materials and both were very exciting to work with particularly as I had no conception of how exactly they would work either separately or together.

Due to my frustration with feeling the traditional samples were a little safe I decided to make one further sample as a culmination of this assignment and see what would happen if I combined with the traditional materials and methodology (slow stitching) with the Tyvek and Lutradur – this was made easier by the fact that I had used the same photographic imagery for both and hence I could take a process-led approach taking elements from the various samples and combining them in one refined and developed piece.

To work this sample I heat treated the Tyvek before stitching it on to the fabrics used in Exercise 1.3 using both running stitches and also French knots.  I added further patches of fabric, Tyvek and also Lutradur heat treating and stitching as the piece grew – the Tyvek is incredibly tough to stitch through but it was worth the effort.  The resulting sample I feel takes all I have learnt in the exercises and is the most experimental piece of I have so far thus done in my studies – ideally, yes, I should have done some design-led sketches beforehand but by working in this manner I felt this piece had a spontaneity that may otherwise have not happened.  I also feel that this piece is reflective of my desired narrative as it is reminiscent of decay and dilapidation that for me is reflective of my metaphor of chronic illness – this piece reflects the destruction that illness can cause to our bodies over lengthy periods of time and the feeling of being time-worn and aged as a result.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Demonstration of technical and visual skills:

I feel this has been a weak area in this assignment as I am not happy with my design and compositional skills – my sketches have been too diagrammatic but perhaps reflect the literal way my mind works and which I struggle to overcome.  My materials and techniques I think have been competent, as have my observational skills although I feel the latter could do with improvement – I need to go back to basics in order to address these areas.

Quality of outcome

My application of knowledge, presentation of work in a coherent manner, discernment and overall conceptualisation of thoughts and communication of ideas I do feel has been a strong area in this assignment – despite my concerns over my sketches I have used text in combination with the diagrams and imagery in order to communicate my intentions.  I have also critically reviewed on a regular basis and have been able to demonstrate an improving ability to judge my work and realise what is working well and what really needs rethinking.

Demonstration of creativity

Experimentation, invention, development of a personal voice – again I feel this has been a strong area in this assignment as I have had more confidence in exploring new ideas and experimenting freely.  The traditional samples and sketches are weaker than the Tyvek and Lutradur samples but I have still explored the slow-stitch technique  using my available materials on a competent level.   I do feel my personal voice is starting to come through as I am beginning to realise where my style may lie and in what media or materials.

Context

Reflection, research, critical thinking – my strongest area overall.  I am aware that my research skills are continuing to develop and I am ensuring I regularly reflect and critically review my work and this is apparent particularly in my sketchbook.

 

Overall I do feel that there are areas that need urgent addressing in assignment 2:

• contextual research within the appropriate exercises
• improvement in sketching concepts and samples
• continuing to work to overcome the literal side of my Asperger’s syndrome in order to be open to new ideas and create more innovative work
• developing my observational, compositional and design skills