Louise Gardiner

I call myself a 'contemporary embroideress' and I create large and colourful embroideries with thread, fabrics and mixed media.  My subjects vary and I have an extensive portfolio based on eccentric characters and creatures, flowers and fauna which celebrate life and hopefully make people smile.

For the past few years, I have been exploring the notion of movement by intuitively creating explosive, organic designs which seem to burst and spin on their own.  As shown in the attached images, I produce singular art works which have dynamic impact due to their scale and rich detail.  I try to emulate spontaneous actions such as fireworks exploding, seeds popping, tumbleweeds tumbling and propellors whizzing.  These are created by drawing with a sewing machine, painting surfaces, stitching areas of intricate applique and embellishing with layer upon layer of free motion embroidery threads.  These embroideries are approximately 1 metre square, wall-based works which react with both natural and electric light and have a three dimensional tactile quality.

I am passionate about exploring exciting colour combinations, neon, metallic and light reflective materials.  I use modern and unusual mixed media for my work and attempt to push the boundaries of classic versus flamboyant kitsch and promote embroidery as an exciting medium.