Jill Denton

I am an obsessive maker. I have been stitching and making things since I was a small child, and I cannot imagine a day without making some sort of art.

I have been making felt for over 20 years, and I am still amazed and fascinated by the process every time I create a new piece. Although I have a good understanding and reasonable control of this process, it always has an element of unpredictability, and this is what I find so addictive and intriguing. It truly is a magical thing that happens whenever felt is made.

Rughooking has also become an important part of my textile practice, In my work I felt, stitch, hook, and work in mixed media, but apart from the wool fibres which have to be bought new for felting, most of the other materials are recycled, found or reused, many coming from the stash I have been collecting and adding to over the last 40 years. I have little interest in buying new fabrics or materials, but it gives me intense pleasure to create something beautiful from things that have been discarded or are no longer wanted. Wool is a sustainable product, thus satisfies my need and desire to create work that is environmentally sound.

I often find myself including figures or faces in my work as it instantly gives the piece of work a narrative. Discovering many amazing paintings of women by women artists often provides a starting point for a piece of work. I am anxious to portray the fact that the inspiration and making process is as important as the final outcome, and that the making should be a calming, therapeutic and sometimes meditative process. This is how I approach all my work which is a joyous celebration of my passion for art, fabric, colour, texture and life.

2018-04-13T19:01:19+00:00