Windswept Dreams

Movement and emotion in fabric

2025 Air-hardening clay, canvas and acrylic paint on oak dowel and oak plinth

'Windswept Dreams', in both name and concept, represents a continuation of my previous textile sculpture, 'Aspire'. Both pieces explore self perception and emotion in slightly different ways. 'Aspire' is quite a narrative, representational piece; a complete figure with facial expression. The poem of the same name, endorses the concept.

With 'Windswept Dreams' however, I'm particularly interested in whether or not the quality and behaviour of fabric can represent human emotion, with no perceptible body, and with the absence of any facial expression. Whilst the body in this piece is implied, none of it is actually visible. There is a sense of the material moving over the shape beneath, emphasising parts of it, whilst concealing others. So, is it the body that expresses the emotion from beneath the fabric? How important is the fabric in accentuating such emotion, and could the fabric express emotion without the presence of a body shape?

'Windswept Dreams' appears in 'Textile Art - Artists and writers focusing on textile art' - Issue 60 of the art zine by Haus A Rest.