Not a light touch but an embrace

“Each walk moves through space like a thread through fabric, sewing it together into a continuous experience.” (Solnit, 2001, p.15)

This artwork is inspired by my research project which aimed to support working parents to awaken or re-connect with their creativity through walking and making art in the Malling Nature reserve.

The artwork responds to the gradual weaving together of the different ‘threads’ of the project and how it supported participants to dismantle internal barriers and explore their creative side.

Shared walks, artistic endeavors without judgment and discussions, developed in us all a quiet confidence to experiment and explore ideas. The gentle rhythm of the group walks allowed space to be silent, to think or talk and reminded me of the mindfulness of stitching by hand.

The artwork aims to capture the un-hurried self-discovery enabled by the freedom and anticipation that walking can generate as part of the creative process. Individual journeys are represented by strips of printed cloth woven together creating a canvas that connects our experiences and becomes the starting point for further experimentation with paper, fabrics and gold thread a material chosen to highlight the preciousness of time shared and the value of creativity.

The audience are invited to hold the artworks to feel and share the warm embrace that walking and creating together can achieve.