Stroud Scarlet Triptych

The starting point for this new work was the red strip on an old army uniform belonging to my grandfather - as with my other work there is always a personnel connection. Were the stripes Stroud scarlet? The investigations led into the process of making broadcloth, particularly the use of cochineal beetles and madder plants in the dying process. In this work I tried to define the colour scarlet via cast objects and historical references, such as redcoats. In the resulting piece 'Stroud Scarlet Triptych' I was able to further develop ideas and techniques that arose while working on the commissioned piece 'The Shoemaker's Shrine'. In particular the use of light boxes and digital imagery combined with cast objects. The process of collecting, arranging and transforming is central to my working process. The three light boxes contain images of sewn, collaged, drawn, cast, layered fragments relating to Stroud's wool industry - women menders, Stroudwater scarlet, broadcloths, tenter hooks, shearers, clothier's marks, redcoat soldiers, teasel thistles, cochineal beetles and madder plants. The viewer's attention is drawn to details of threads, colour variation, weave and textiles by using photographic enlargement. The light boxes are illuminated with daylight-balanced tubes for colour fidelity. The final piece references Victorian decoupage and cabinets of curiosities.