Casually Placed Metal

Yes Casually Placed Metal would make a great band name …. But I am trying to describe this area of inspiration and am having some difficulty explaining my thoughts. As a trained metalsmith I obviously have some infinity with all types of metal. I am particularly fond of pieces of metal that have been casually stored, for example on a building site, surplus metal laid down waiting to be used or put to one side and forgotten about. I love seeing the random patterns that these pieces of metal create ( seeing a lorry stacked with lengths of metal is extremely exciting!). I think that I am interested in the exciting geometric patterns that are randomly generated by someone who has no idea what art form they have accidentally created.

For example this stack of rusted metal that I spotted this evening in Rock Cornwall. I wonder what this metal is actually used for? I wonder who put it there? Dumped with other random building objects by the sea. The pattern that the pieces of metal jumped right out at me – isn’t it interesting. The colour too is deep and warm. I can see the textile possibilities that might be created from the this beautiful discarded metal.

THE TEXTILE ARTIST – ANNEKE KLEIN

Whilst researching metal as an inspiration for textile art I came across ANNEKE KLEIN. It was very interesting to me to see that my journey to textiles and weaving directly mirrored that of Klein. I wonder how many other metalsmiths have this reaction to working with metal? I honestly thought it was only me !!!!

KLEIN says that she works in miniature due to her training as a goldsmith.

I absolutely love the grid structure of Klein’s work and the neutral colour scheme is extremely calming. Her work has a fragile aesthetic, weaving in loose white cotton with over weaves or embroidery in black and neutrals placed in a grid pattern. Thoughtful, structured work, carefully planned but whose regimentation is softened by the different embellishment that she has sewn into the grids.

image from artsy.net

The above work is called FAMILY 2022

Hemp, cotton, linen, acrylic paint

Anneke Klein describes her own work on the website http://www.oogappelhandweverijj.nl

My passion 

Self expression through weaving came about after wrestling with cold hard materials during my education as a goldsmith. Because my heart chose the warmth, softness and comfort of yarns, I retrained quickly in weaving techniques.

Using basic weaving techniques I create a variety of shapes, textures and structures. It is an ever growing process, an investigation, a translation, as if looking through a symbolic lens at the everyday and the things that touch me emotionally. With a fascination for rhythm and repetitions.

Working with a variety of materials and colours and with a love for simplicity, shape and activity, I develop both unique wearables and spatial creations often with a combination between form and function.

With my wearables I try to bring a sensual experience by an interaction between person and material and to achieve an almost tangibility to the space in between.

My objects are an interplay between the woven structure and the unforeseen additions and/or manipulation of the material which then shows an emotional content and causes a reaction. Often fueled by a social impact with its authority and fragility.