Marie-Hélène Hunter
Art Forms
Multi-disciplinary, Painting, Textiles
Biography
ARTIST STATEMENT
I use lots of emotional content in my embroidery and time and time again return to my childhood memories, translating them into nostalgic embroidered images that hopefully will make you smile. I also enjoy taking something already use and either fix it if necessary or use it for something else instead of throwing it away. It’s an antidote to wastefulness and to the need for immediate gratification.
I started working as an artist only recently as previously my family and career took all my time. However over the last few years I have worked in several media – drawings, collages, paintings – and mostly focusing on embroidery which was always my preferred way of releasing stress. I started learning embroidery at a young age, my grandmother taught me the discipline of the techniques but most importantly the art of accepting that sometimes things don’t work out the way we expect but that’s ok. Now I use my art work as a way of processing the effect of my childhood being at boarding school at a young age and lately working in difficult parts of the world where I could find inspiration in nature, colours and of course local art and culture.
I started creating abstract, improvisational works using pearl cotton on linen then later adding beads. Abstract embroidery appeals to me because it combines the linearity of drawing with the colours and texture of painting. I love the feel of cloth, either linen, cotton or any other cloth available and the process of working stitches by hand with needle and thread. Everything about it feels right.
I am a member of Folkestone Art Society (FAS) and of Ashford Visual Artists (AVA). I enjoy taking part in different local shows.
I’m available to teach classes or workshops on embroidery stitches and techniques, meditative embroidery/slow stitching, and developing a personal stitching practice.
Contact
You can find me on Instagram on @Draw_a_bit_Sew_a_bit or you can email me on mhispagnac@icloud.com or you can leave a message either in Instagram or on 07921191939
