Matthew Harris
I have never been interested in ‘perfect’ textiles. It’s the interruption of the patterned surface which excites me. Cloth made imperfect as a result of patches, tears, darns and frayed edges held together with purely necessary stitches; these are the qualities which motivate me to make work.
The work is constructed from basic cotton twill dust sheet which I mark simply by dribbling dye across the surface. In order to create the effect I want, I fold, pleat and cut the cloth. Additional pieces of cloth are then trapped between the cuts and layers and held in place by hand stitching.
Born 1966 Bromley, Kent.
Education
Goldsmiths College. B.A.Hons Textiles.
Awards
2001 Sept Crafts Council setting up Grant
2001 Jul Prym Award. Outstanding use of hand Stitch.
Recent Exhibitions
2006 Stroudwater textile Festival. Traces and Echoes.
2006 SOFA, New York. Represented by Snyderman gallery.
2005 C.A.A, London. Christmas show
2005 Ozone Gallery, Tokyo. British Craft.
2005 Axis gallery, Tokyo. Crafts Council selected show.
2004 Aoyama Gallery, Tokyo. Four British Textile Artists
Commissions
2006 Stroudwater Textile Trust. Festival Commission
2001 Cheltenham Music Festival. Stage back drop.
Public Collections
Crafts Council