Kate Whitehead
My work is a protest against the way textiles are consumed in western society. Tired of a world in which clothes are produced and thrown away without thought to the consequences; where the fashion industry and media impose identities on us. My rebellion is to go back to slower processes, embrace tradition, salvage the discarded, fix the broken.
In my weaving and embroidery I explore the potential of the forgotten, overlooked and abandoned. I revel in discovering humble, quiet fabrics like calicos and cottons; the more worn, faded and story-laden the better; and giving them a second chance. I take time to imagine the history of every piece, exploring its hues and tones, examining its tears and frays, weighing up its foibles.
Exhibition.
A Space in Time
Environment plays a crucial role in Kate's creative process. She believes that the space in which she works must be visually beautiful to inspire her practice. Kate prefers an organised workspace, and she follows personal rituals that help maintain a sense of ease and clarity At the end of each day, everything returns to its place, only to be brought out again the next. For her, this process mirrors the feeling of creating a new page in a book—each day a new beginning.
Kate extends endless gratitude to Arts Council England for their support through the Develop Your Practice Award, which has allowed her to attend short courses in embroidery, weaving, and alternative photographic printmaking. Her new collection is centred around the theme of Rituals—the repetition of everyday acts. She uses repetitive mark-making through hand weaving and stitching to explore this concept. Her work delves into the significance of everyday rituals, the meaning behind the objects we place around us, and the routines that provide comfort and a sense of safety.
