Illuminating the Present

Illuminating the Present

I enjoyed the experimental knitting workshop in my course particularly and loved how this cast shadows when lit behind a piece of fabric. Having experimented with painting the knitting unsuccessfully I decided to think this through carefully so chose a natural fibre to knit a net, then painted it with Anilinky Colours after wetting the cotton first so that it would take the colour. Although I have been working on a monochrome palette for these samples I felt introduction of a cool colour could be carried by the piece and I think the viridian tone adds to the dated look of the overall finished piece (when used sparingly). I then used the soldering iron to slash the fabric to create gaps that the knitted sample could be viewed through the spaces, and I also think this creates more f a 3D effect on the Nautilus.

Close up of Nautilus with Painted Knitted net illuminated from behind

The section below really was my happy surprise , I didn't want to throw away the sticky backed plastic stencil from the screen printing so I photocopied it and love the mottled effect achieved I then re-photocopied it onto “t-shirt” transfer paper, and ironed it to the screen printed muslin, I think the transfer sits really well on the open weave of the muslin and when illuminated from behind gives a 3D effect as the screen printed elements become visible again.

Illuminating the Present - used screenprinting stencil photocopied onto t-shirt transfer paper

Illuminating the Present - used screenprinting stencil photocopied onto t-shirt transfer paper

I had been interested in the ways the Nautilus image could be rotated and layered and this led to the below sample. The base fabric is a screen printed image created through rotation of the screen then pulling again. I have then added another piece of muslin over the lurex fabric, and I think the resultant image gives a confused sense of depth. I had considered slashing/burning the fabric on this sample but on reflection feel that the 3D blurry image is a sensible contrast to the other samples.

I had discovered that two layers of the lurex appear to “move” then lit from behind – the light reflected though the fibres moves in different directions. I kept this sample simple by layering the ammonite image with the nautilus image. I think the fact that it is not 100 clear what is behind the nautilus adds a sense of mystery and intrigue to the final sample below.