Special Collections & Sketchbook

After the downing archive last week I felt I had been given more of a direction to push my work into, with the Japanese (early 19th - late 20th century) metallic undelying theme.

This was still apparent in the Special Collections visit as I was always attracted towards the metallic designs, whether it be embroidery or print. In particular the William Morris wallpaper samples, the one below is named, Pink & Poppy -Number 133. 

However I didn't feel as I could relate and work from the archive material in the Special Collections as much as the Downing Collection - therefore, I won't be using this throughout my sketchbook. 

For this archive I realised that I needed to expand on my research of Japanese textiles and the processes that they use , in the archive was a handmade Japanese stencil. 

When I looked into this further I found that this is a regular method in Japanese printing throughout the late 19th - early 20th century, and they call it Katazome. I wasn't interested in the detail but the general shapes. As I kept with the metallic colour pallet I further researched Kintsugi this is a process used to mend broken objects, they aggrandize the damage by filling the cracks with gold as they believe that when something has suffered damage and has a history it becomes more beautiful. 

When finalising drawing experimentation and ideas I will use this throughout my samples to join materials and embellish old materials.