Pauline Teresa Kiernan
Statement
Textiles is a big part of our lives regardless of who we are or where we were born, from the feel of a soft blanket wrapped around us to the physical touch of textiles on the skin.
I wanted to look at what we do as individuals to feel protected while at the same time feeling very vulnerable, using techniques such as textile painting, screen printing. machine embroidery, reverse applique, and hand stitching to explore this emotional attachment. I tend to work instinctively, listening to the cloth and thread, each element drawing on the other, informing my work.
Layering personal stories of memory, maternity, loss, joy, and identity, with symbols, objects, and rituals into a tapestry/quilt-like fashion, I aim to evoke a sense of comfort and protection.
I am inspired by textile artists Alice Kettle, Stephanie Metz, and Grayson Perry.