An artisan is someone who’s skilled, especially when making things by hand. Also called a craftsman or craftswoman, a skilled worker, or historically, a journeyman.
Great. What has this to do with embroidery?
We’re artisans.
As makers, we’ve trained and practiced, attended workshops, and had our work published and exhibited.
And ever so slowly I believe perceptions are changing towards embroidery being seen as an art form, and the practitioners as artists.
Sonia Delaunay and May Morris both held strong views on this topic.
Sonia saw no differentiation between fine art and applied art – and moved happily between the two, forging a successful career as a costumer, embroiderer, fashion designer, and artist.
May Morris, daughter of Arts and Crafts Movement leader, William Morris, upheld similar views, championing education and equality for female artists, as well as being a successful designer, embroiderer, teacher, and lecturer.
Now, it’s our turn to shape our own world of making – of creativity, design, and technique using textiles and a needle and thread – and that means interacting as frequently as we can with people who do, and people who want to do.
It’s an exciting time, and if we want to make a change, we need to engage those with similar ideals and use that momentum to motivate even more people.
If our work is worth doing, it’s worth talking about.
Speak up!
Check out my YouTube channel – I talk about what I love to do.
