Vortex

Dimensions
13.5cm x 17cm

Category
Narrative

About This Project
An invitational work for exhibition in the Stitched Up exhibition at The Lock Up Gallery in Newcastle, in conjunction with Timeless Textiles Gallery. The focus for the exhibition was the Newcastle Industrial Girls School, which operated from 1867-1871 and the 193 girls who were a part of it. There was a limited colour palette suggested, and I knew from the start I wanted to represent each girl somehow. I cut out a white felt dress for each girl. Using a variation in size and spiralling the girls outwards from small to large suggested their lack of control over their own futures. Black hand-painted marks were made on the quilt surface after quilting to represent the anger, frustration and turmoil in their lives. The dresses were then applied to the quilt using black thread to unify the entire work.