Cleveland College of Art & Design   2008/2009

Heidi-Louise Colwill

AA2A has given me a chance to have materials that wouldn't be so accessible at home. Having fabrics, the printing room, art shop, and library to hand has helped me to develop my work further. I have really enjoyed interacting with the students, other designers and artists on this scheme and it has been a real pleasure to get their input, which you don't get when you're at home doing your own thing.

I decided to do a new project that is inspired by a 1875 Hans Christian Anderson book and a 1929 Grimm tales book that I had bought. I have been interested in fairy tales and the subliminal messages within these tales since 2003. I used this as a starting point within my work and questioned this with my humour. I use a mix up of fairytale and films that inspire me, the latest collection is called “Goldilocks on a magic carpet ride.“

I started with a sketchbook to get my story down on to paper. Then I had the opportunity to develop some screens for printing with. I would not been able to do this a home as I don't have the equipment. In my work I like to use print with embroidery. I used transfer paper with this collection and explored printing with this.

My dress called the “Forest scene” is embroidered and appliqué with brooches on the top. I wanted to create a fusion of different techniques on a garment. The bottom is linen and the bodice is pink cotton as I wanted to explore different weights. The bottom is different coloured printed fabrics appliquéd on the black linen. I have used transfer prints for the people on this dress. There is also bead work throughout the piece.