I love exploring op-shops for supplies, rummaging through fabric remnants, half made cross stitches, left over yarn and tubs of crochet hooks and odd buttons. I am prompted to work from these discoveries. They tell the story of their previous owner, producing images of rest: of women in armchairs stitching. The items themselves also speak of rest. They've been resting in boxes, cupboards and drawers, sometimes for decades.

 

I had bought some latch hook needles and been given a latch-hook mat from my mentor and textile artist Sybill Orr. 

I joined a Facebook group for knitters and weavers, where tips and advice are exchanged. In this group I asked if anyone had any latch hook wool, any colour, any amount. I wanted to collect the materials first and allow what I received to inform the work.

 

I had many women contact me, happy to see these materials be bought to life. 

 I received a large amount from one lady in particular Mary.

Mary sent me multiple emails before eventually sending the wool. I realised that it was hard for her to let the wool go. Her late husband and her made rugs together. This wool represented the remainder of this special time together.

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This work embodies my rest. No drafts or plans were made. I simply sat on the mat, surrounded by the wool and started weaving. I worked like this for hours, sitting on the piece in my own world.  I felt my spirit revived through this rest. I was able to create intuitively, grouping my favourite colours together, creating texture and composition. 

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Images- Daniel Stanley