The Shield Project - A Web Journal.
The Shield is a mixed media assemblage. It is an exploration of my interests in medieval iconography and heraldry and the development of my own symbols. It was developed for the Prostate Cancer Foundation, an organisation that has as one of it's aims the promotion of men's health awareness and exhibited at the Australian National Gallery.
The shield is in the traditional sense, an object for protection during battle. In this piece it is created from fragile materials, such as gauze and silk and becomes an object of contemplation, now related more closely to the mandala than a tool of war. Thus it becomes meaningful In the context men's health screening - the traditional, active role of the shield as a tool for battle readiness is transformed into a passive tool to promote the notion of spiritual and emotional readiness. It is my hope that this piece l will play a small role in transforming men's attitudes towards health screening.
In order to develop the glass cabs for this piece I have worked with Kalera Stratton in Portland, Oregon. I relate to Kalera's sophisticated, understated approach to colour. She also has the ability to conceptualize a response to her environment within the glass medium. When I approached her with an idea to modify a surface treatment that she uses on beads, she enthusiastically embraced the idea, immediately producing the first test batch of cabochons. Within a few weeks the finished product arrived in New Zealand. It was a most satisfying and productive collaboration. I have used cabs from the test batch as they are larger in size and have a raw quality that suits the piece. More of her work can be seen on her web site www.beadwife.com
The piece is comprised of layers. The bottom is the red embroidered gauze. The next, a collection of five silver set, beaded devices affixed at the four corners and center of the escutcheon. The final layer is a group of four appliqued emblems comprised of indigo coloured, hand dyed silk and cotton calico and dupion silk. The use of the embroidery hoop to stretch and support the finished assemblage is both a practical resolution to the problem of presenting the piece and a reference to the historical role of woman as the documenters of family culture through traditional arts and crafts.
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One of the tables in my studio showing several of my visual journals, test samples, sketches, research and work in progress |
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Kalera's cabs. See more of Kalera's work: |
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Machine embroidery on the backing cloth begins |
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The final embroidered surface. |
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A sketch from my visual journal. This is the pattern I decided on for the finished piece. The arrow is my symbol for air and it is also the heraldic icon representing readiness for battle |
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A test patch. I often make small tests such as these to play with scale and other design elements. I have decided increase the area of red in the final design to show more ot the machine embroidery. |
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The circular beaded devices begin by bezel setting the cabs in sterling and fine silver. |
| The final, beaded devices: | |
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To the bottom right is the paper pattern I've drafted for the final design. Three of the arrow emblems are completed. Below these are the fabrics which have been layered and basted ready for machining and reverse applique. The calico backing is at top left and the machine embroidered, red dyed gauze is to the right, above the paper pattern. The embroidery hoop will be used to support the final piece. |
The finished piece: SHIELD I
