Featured Artist
Sharon Hay
 |
Artists' Statement:
My work could be best described as a series of collections, boxing and grouping patterns and three-dimensional forms to categorise variations of an idea. The work generally involves multiples of small pieces. I work on the principle that each piece is unique but, when grouped together, the pieces adopt a greater theme and meaning, supporting the overall artwork. I generally work in mixed media specialising in textile art. Techniques I use include; multi-head machine embroidery, hand embroidery, fabric manipulation and cutwork. Untraditional fabrics play a key role in my work. I commonly use materials such as leather, PVC and various plastics combined with neon threads to create unique pieces of jewellery and soft toys.
Outsider Art, Child Art, Fantasy, Media Culture and modern and traditional textiles influence my work, alongside an interest in 1980's fashion and punk/pop culture. I focus on issues surrounding innocence in childhood with a particular interest in imaginary friends and comfort toys. I am inspired by the imagination and ideas of children; ideas that are forgotten and discarded in adulthood. I use my perception of these ideas to create pieces that project the formation of feelings and thoughts, found inside the mind of a child.
My concept entitled, "Innocent Chaos" has evolved from my interest in toys, in particular the relationships that children develop with them from birth. I play on the idea of the alter-ego character contained in each of our personalities and the mischievous traits we all hold, using personal experiences as a foundation for my artwork.
Exhibitions:
June 2008 Blick Studios Belfast, Launch Exhibition featuring two large scale rabbits
June 2008 University of Ulster Textile 3rd year Degree Show Innocent Chaos
June 2007 Fusion Group exhibition in Spacecraft, County Down Crafts
A collection on ten students from the University of Ulster brought together to exhibit within a new gallery space
July 2003 Clare Gallery Ballyclare
Selection of 4ftx4ft paintings
