People sometimes ask what Fibre art is - previously this was known as textile art but it was then expanded to: refer to: "fine art 2D & 3D artworks made of natural or synthetic fibres and other components, sometimes felted, woven or assembled. It focuses on the materials and manual labour on the part of the artist as part of the works' significance, and prioritises aesthetic value over utility.
Fibre Art: 'Exodus'
Above: 'The Red Cloak' - 4m x 3m
felted wool, re-cycled clothes, yarn, raffia & paper Below an early sketch 
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In my work I sometimes like to demonstrate a larger more sculptural quality as can be seen in a group of works under the title 'Exodus' - the overall theme of which is how we can create empathy for the plight of others. Here the piece called 'The Red Cloak' which is 4m high x 3m wide. Note the piles of clothes at the base (in the picture directly below) - these I bought from charity shops donating to aid refugees as they reached the safety of shorelines after crossing perilous seas.
The sculpture is a combination of felted clothes, including wool raffia and yarn. It speaks to the meta-meanings of the work where this can perhaps evoke the hope implicit in creating a new life. The viewer can walk up close & see the reverse (picture on left) in detail -my manipulations of materials - including jumpers, scarves, children's socks and gloves, embedded in the sculpture.
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The Raft of the Medusa
'In Re: Raft of the Medusa' 3mx4m Canvas, recycled rope & wood.
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'In Re: The Raft of the Medusa' Théodore Géricault, Raft of the Medusa, 1818–19, oil on canvas, 4.91 x 7.16m (Musée du Louvre, Paris)
Also exhibited within the overall title 'Exodus', is In Re: 'The Raft of the Medusa' which is a different kind of work to the Red Cloak - arguably solely a sculpture and more referential to Joseph Beuys work in evoking an incident in people's lives through the presence of shattered materials which themselves can evoke pertinence and meaning through the visceral response of the audience as it is encouraged to step through its detritus. I used the symbolism of the sail, fragmented, re- cycled wood. The shattered detritus to demonstrate both the absence of people - effectively the raft has failed...the occupants gone.
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Crossing Borders
 'Crossing Borders' Three pieces 4m long x 50cm wide. Felted wool, clothes, yarn, paper.
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Another 'Exodus' piece which aims to evoke resonances of cultural connections between people and their emotional ties to their homeland, 'Crossing Borders' (below) is my response to the continuing, dangerous sea crossing undertaken by so many brave and desperate people in recent times. The sea creates life & also takes it. In this work (below) I felted old gloves, jumpers & scarves ......lost in the waves- an outstretched hand, waving for help....
'Crossing Borders' Detail of Felted gloves, wool, clothes, yarn, paper.
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Border CrossingIn an attempt to invoke the frisson of the refugee taking such a risk with their life another work, Border Crossing, is a thin line of yellow threads stretched from ceiling to floor to create a narrow passageway through which the viewer negotiates while walking through - the yellow threads, a distant reference to the colour of Medusa's hair, are placed very close to the wall such that you must touch them - but you try to avoid doing so - which makes a simple passageway, precarious for the modern audience schooled as it is to avoid touching 'art'. This precariousness reflects the refugees own precious attempt at establishing a new life. In later iterations for exhibitions in 2025, I will create a pathway solely made with yellow threads.
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'Border Crossing' 2m x 4.5m Yellow yarn, nails.
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Detailing of 'The Red Cloak' & 'Crossing Borders'
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NEXT FIBRE SCULTPURE: PODS