studio life: embroidery techniques

Art portfolio- my work, Studio news

Work in progress

With my new body of work I aim to refine my embroidery skills. Testing different types of thread and yarn, because the same stitch can produce different effects when different types of thread are employed. With that said, not every type of thread or stitch will work with rubber.

While doing research on embroidery techniques I found the following quotes.  I always assumed that I employ a satin stitch in my work:

After reading this I realised that my stitching is not that ‘perfect’, and I do not have a great deal of patience…and then i found this:

So I thought, hang on, maybe the type of embroidery I do is possibly a combination of “satin stitch” and “laid work”.

mmm…maybe i can re-name my stitches to “laid-back-satin-stitch”….or “laid-back-rubber-stitch 😉

The world at her fingertip

Art portfolio- my work

I am pleased to announce that this work is currently on show at the KKNK (Klein Karoo National Arts Festival, in Oudtshoorn (South Africa) until the 11th of April.  It is part of a fantastic group exhibition called “Princess in the Veld”, curated by Adele Adendorff.

I will post more about this specific group exhibition as soon as I can but in the mean time you can look at all the work and read more about each of the artists  here

The world at her fingertip 2015 (cotton thread, rubber/inner tube/ batting and wood. (photo courtesey of Adele Adendorff

The world at her fingertip 2015 (cotton thread, rubber/inner tube/ batting and wood. (photo credit: Adele Adendorff

From the curator’s pen:

Opting for rubber tyres and coloured cotton thread, Hannalie Taute’s engaging artworks weave a feminine narrative that re-stages parochial views and prevailing stereotypes of local women through her careful selection of medium, content and treatment. Taute’s practice is largely inscribed by a feminist agenda which aims to break down essentialised notions of female identity and offers, instead, an alternative view of the roles women play in culture and society with particular reference to the South African milieu. Drawing her inspiration from cultural myths, fairy tales and social constructs that often frame women as demure, subservient, fragile beings, Taute’s pieces aim to dismantle delimiting notions of femininity through the use of irony and pun. Similarly, the format of Taute’s artworks also negotiate the traditional boundaries imposed between so-called high art and craft which furthermore conflates Western and non-Western notions of art.

Taute’s incessant search for the regeneration and review of the female self is not merely explored thematically but also underscored, conceptually, through her unique selection of materials. The artist makes use of harsh, masculine associations evoked by the rubber tyres. This, juxtaposed alongside the labour-intensive and elaborate stitching of imagery and text, questions traditional associations of the domestic realm and so-called ‘women’s work’. The employment of the craft of embroidery, evident in The world at her fingertip (2015), situates Taute’s interpretation of female selves as simultaneously alluding to and resisting traditional notions of femininity. The artist’s often tongue-in-cheek approach subverts traditional notions of femininity and, instead, yields an interpretation of female identity that is liminal, empowered and engaging.

detail of work (The world at her fingertip)

detail of work (The world at her fingertip)

So if you are in the Oudthsoorn area, you are welcome to go and have a look.  The exhibition is at the Prince Vincent building in Baron van Rheede street, Oudtshoorn.

 

(B.Y.O.I.D) Bring your own identity

Art portfolio- my work, Studio news/blog

(B.Y.O.I.D) Bring your own identity – The emergence of individualization is a group show which opens today at Knysna Fine Art.  This is what the gallery has to say about this exhibition:


(BYOID) – Bring your own identity

The emergence of individualization

Society’s changing lifestyle and attitude trends affect the aesthetics in which and with which we surround ourselves every day. Recent research both locally and internationally shows that one of the central trends today in society is “Style Nomadism” (or “Fashion Nomadism”) and globalisation has only increased the need for individuals to redefine themselves.

Viewers express themselves by interpreting art, choosing to acquire it and creating themselves in the process. Searching for shorter text and deeper images means they give themselves credit for their own intelligence. Thus (BYOID) hangs on not just what your work reveals about yourself but equally the fulfilment the viewer experiences in its presence.

These following works will be on exhibition:

"In the days when Bertha spun) golden thread, cotton thread, oil paint, rubber 2015

“In the days when Bertha spun) golden thread, cotton thread, oil paint, rubber 2015 (detail)

Bertha is not my name, but I like her story.

The title of this work: “In the days when Bertha spun” is inspired by the mythical figure Bertha who was renowned for her spinning and regarded as the special patroness of female industry. She has many different names in various regions, but is mostly known as the mythical mother of Charlemagne.  In France and Germany it is still custom to say: “In the days when Bertha spun” when speaking of the Golden Age.

"A thread" textile, found objects, thread, rubber 2014

“A thread” textile, found objects, thread, rubber 2014

“The most miserable and dangerous among us are those who try to be what they are not” Jeanette Winterson.

For those who can’t be at the opening…here is a link to the digital catalogue: https://www.yumpu.com/en/embed/view/9kwyEEL7sGVzIQIh

and

For those in the Knysna area today please:

Join us for

champagne    &     shooters

at the opening of this exhibition of recent
paintings, sculpture, photography & ceramics
by some of South Africa’s finest artists.

 Date: Thursday 26 February 2015
Time: 5:30 pm

Who needs courage?

Art portfolio- my work
"Who needs courage?" Embroidery on rubber and found objects, 2014/5

“Who needs courage?” Embroidery on rubber and found objects, 2014/5 (photo credit: Dejavu Photography)

A lion-finger-puppet was the inspiration for this piece.  The finger-puppet belonged to my 4 year old son, and   I figured that since he doesn’t play with it, I might as well use it.  So the actual toy is stitched onto the rubber. Boy was he upset!! but we’ve reached and agreement of sorts …(strange – as soon as they see that mother is having fun with their toys, only then do they want to start playing with it!)

Anyway, so a lion represents courage to me, surely because of the Wizard of Oz story:

The Cowardly Lion is a character in the fictional Land of Oz created by American author L. Frank Baum.[1] He is an African Lion, but he speaks and interacts with humans.

Since lions are supposed to be “The Kings of Beasts,” the Cowardly Lion believes that his fear makes him inadequate. He does not understand that courage means acting in the face of fear, which he does frequently. Only during the after effects of the Wizard’s gift, when he is under the influence of an unknown liquid substance that the Wizard orders him to drink (perhaps gin) is he not filled with fear. He argues that the courage from the Wizard is only temporary, although he continues to do brave deeds while openly and embarrassedly fearful. (wikipedia)

In a sense I needed some courage for this piece above, because it was the first time I experimented with combining a little bit of oil paint & thread on rubber.

I found this quote recently (wish I could remember where)….

“Courage is to tell the story of who you are with your whole heart!”

love that!

(*This work: Who needs courage?” will be on show during my 6th Solo exhibition #Crossmyheart at the Erdmann Contemporary Gallery in Cape Town. Opening on the 10th of February 2015- hope to see you there…)