‘Living is a form of not being sure, not knowing what next or how.
The moment you know how, you begin to die a little.
The artist never entirely knows.
We guess. We may be wrong, but we take leap after leap in the dark.’

(Agnes de Mille)
 

The depicted figures are fetally curled, backs turned, heads down and eyes closed. They are drawn in thread on backgrounds of patched, patterned and textured stainless steel cloth with patterns derived from the gaps between spaces created by repeating and reversing the figures.

The pieces are created in fine stainless steel cloth which gives the illusion of fragility and the transparency of organza cloth. The structure, definition and colours are only achievable using a metal with resistance and colour changing properties such as the stainless steel.

Patterns are created with repeated negative spaces derived from the shapes of the figures and worked in free motion embroidery often using thicker threads to create definition and depth in the overlaid patterning.

 

Whilst drawing on forms and themes that trace back through her previous works, and her personal history, Alysn takes another ‘leap in the dark’ for this collection.

This particular leap has resulted in a series of panels each with abstract designs exploring the relationship the varied surfaces.

Using textile based techniques with challenging materials gives Alysn the scope to investigate a continuing fascination with different surface qualities, allowing different layers and aspects to emerge,

 

Continuing an exploration in visualising the internal emotional environment entered into whilst developing work. This time might be a meditative, focused, quiet and safe state or an entrapped, immobile, negative space. A central question posed by these pieces is: At times when the negative in life threatens, how do we deal with this? Reaching out for help, or retreating into ourselves and away from the world?

Evocative forms and figures are incorporated into surfaces that are articulated with complex, undulating, knotted and interwoven designs and text. A happy invention of form and daring conceptualization conspire in these pieces to combine the compositions of lines and geometric patterns with a narrative which considers the spark of creativity and its’ constraints in the life of the maker.