Having realised that the origin of ‘Text’ comes from the Latin ‘textere’ meaning ‘to weave’, Kim Disley has taken to translating written texts into visual embroideries and patterns and her current work takes inspiration from the Celtic Tales and Myths from ‘The Mabinogi’. Some of these embroideries will be exhibited at Undegun from March 1st until April 4th.
Textile items are subtly embroidered; this hand work belies the length of time taken to produce a finished piece of work. Kim is currently fascinated by cross-stitch which is simple and ordered – exactly what she feels ‘good design’ has to be. “It also needs to be mathematical; this gives an invisible structure and guideline which is immediately noticeable when something is ‘just not quite right’. I began to use textiles as a medium after working with glass at Wrexham School of Art and Design; embroidered and knitted items mingle with the glasswork.”
Repetition is also extremely important, the same image is used constantly; by altering it with different colour combinations or by mirror imaging, many different designs appear. The repeated image in rows and columns has a correctness and precision.
Kim Disley is ultimately influenced by the clean, straight lines and classic timelessness of the Bauhaus; this simplicity is a template on which most designs are based. Lino cuts by Cyril E. Powers and Sybil Andrews from the early 20th Century, which have the simple repetition and orderliness, are also an influence.
you can find Kim Disley on twitter, @kimally or on instagram, @kimdisley
Weave The Word will be exhibited alongside Wales In Colour and Twisted Showcase Live
