Vivienne Beaumont:
Seeds, Flowers and Flowing Hair
Artists Statement
The ephemerality and cyclical nature of life is at the core my textile practice. My work sits within the genre of narrative stitched textiles. It references the figurative, the mythological, nature, female archetypes and the theme of transformation. The portrait becomes a shadow of someone who once was, their fleeting youth and beauty symbolised in flowers. Harvest, seeds, barley and pomegranates represent both life force and loss. Archetypal theory and mythology use the goddess to denote the cyclical nature of female life. My practice uses machine embroidery and print to tell this personal and universal story through symbol and thread.
Katie from Arnold's Attic filmed me talking about my work at the Knitting and Stitching Show 2022.
https://www.facebook.com/ArnoldsAttic/ / https://www.arnolds-attic.co.uk / https://www.instagram.com/arnolds_attic/
‘Art is nothing but the expression of our dream; the more we surrender to it, the closer we get to the inner truth of things, our dream life, the true life that scorns questions and does not see them.’ Franz Marc
About
Drawing and design are key to my practice. Seeing and looking, then editing, composing and interpreting. Most important for me, is a need to refine, to step away and come back to see anew. I always start with a drawing, which I then develop with Photoshop. I transfer my drawing / design onto fabric with printing methods. I like the serendipity and creativity that I can generate by handling the fabric, cutting and collaging fabrics to allow creative changes.
I originally studied Fine Art and have been an art teacher for many years. In 1995, with a move to Shropshire, I found Westhope College, where I was able to do City and Guilds textile courses. I was fortunate to be taught by Linda Kemshall, Bobby Britnell and the late, much missed, Marie Roper. I was awarded a medal of excellence from City and Guilds.Wanting a change of life style and to do my own art work, I retired from teaching at Shrewsbury High School to do an MA at Hereford College of Art. I really enjoyed doing the MA, it helped me to better understand my motivations and helped me to establish my artistic identity.