This photograph was taken of my flatmate, Isabelle. Isabelle and her dreams became a key source of inspiration to this project. Photographing my muses in the environments in which they dream was a poignant starting point to my collection.
This piece formed part of my final collection. I screen printed different layers at home by drawing out different shapes as part of the scene and hand-cutting the stencils. The scene depicts different parasols over a swimming pool. This specific sample was inspired by my muse, Isabelle and her reoccurring dreams of summer. Each colour in this piece has been mixed at home using a combination of different binders and inks.
This sample was inspired by abstract floral imagery. I started by creating observational drawings of pots of flowers around my flat. These were then developed into a digital repeat print that was printed on silk. I added wading and a pink velvet backing and finalised the sample by including quilted elements.
This sample was inspired by the famous toile de joy design. I gathered an archive of images that related to each narrative that I had earlier constructed and drew from elements of these photographs. With these I have then created a bold narrative scene using bright pinks and oranges.
This sample was inspired by the birds that featured in one of my muses dreams. I have captured the utopian nature of these animals by using bright colours to create a vivid and surreal outcome. I initially drew different flamingoes using oil pastel to create a dynamic texture. These drawings were then transformed into two repeat print designs which have been digitally printed onto cotton. I then transformed these two samples into a reverse quilt sample and added red velvet piping to the edges.
The following samples were inspired by the theme of tea parties. This strand of the project was inspired by one of my muses recalling a dream where she was dancing on the table of a tea party. I wanted to transform this imagery into obscure and bright scenes of table settings. This sample was screen printed at home using different layers with hand-cut stencils. The following samples show another scene that has been created using digital print, screen print and embroidered motifs.
The final context of this project was to create immersive prints that allow you to step into the narrative being depicted. I have therefore projected my designs to increase the scale of the design. I have also placed my original muse for the project into the scene. This depicts Jemima entering her own utopian world that she dreamt of, which became a key inspiration for some of my prints in the collection
Utopian Dreams is a textile collection inspired by three close female muses. I became inspired by the recollection of their personal dreams and developed three narratives from this that has fuelled the collection. Each narrative is based on different themes ranging from abstract and obscure floral imagery to scenes of soaring birds.
My initial concept for this collection began with the idea that we are able to escape to other worlds when dreaming, often worlds that juxtapose to ones reality. By selecting ethereal fabrics and using bright and bold colour schemes in my work I was able to create a collection that allows you to escape into alternate utopian worlds.
I have used a variety of techniques within this collection including screen printing, hand-dyeing, digital printing and embroidery. All screen prints have been completed at home using the stencil technique to create bold and vivid imagery.
The overall concept of my collection was inspired by Francesco Clemente, a contemporary artist who creates large scale installations with vast painted murals. Clemente's works inspired me to create bold immersive prints that can transform a place into an all encompassing environment, allowing you to transport yourself into the dream being depicted on the fabric. For my final showpiece I created an two metre bed canopy. Using both cotton and chiffon I was able to create different illusory effects. The designs on this installation were inspired by my friend Madeleine who dreamt of being amongst vast buildings with soaring birds above her. I have taken this and developed a utopian setting inspired by the imagery that Madeleines recalls.
