Statement of intent

My work exists through my connection with the natural world. Living in the city of Manchester over the last five years has emphasised the importance of this fragile connection. Apartment living within the city centre is common with little or no access to private exterior spaces, parks or gardens.

My aim is to develop a sustainable and environmentally friendly range of textile designs to be used as window “dressings” that transform the interface between the interior of a building and the outside world with designs drawn from natural forms either for intimate interior spaces or to break up architecturally bland or severe windows, bringing the outside inside. I am exploring ways of bonding together layers of fabric and then laser cutting areas to produce contemporary cutwork pieces and looking at the use of fabrics and processes that aid ecological restoration such as low impact printing.
The exploration and physical making process is very important in my process.

“In our modern techno
scientific culture we are able to do all kinds of things with and to the natural world but as a result we have lost our affinity with it. Alienated from nature, no longer experiencing it as a living presence we need to recapture the sense that to be human is to be part of nature.” (“Nature in Design” Alan Powers)
For more information on my work please go to www.rowenaardern.com/