Andrea Cryer: From conception to creation

American photographer Paul Caponigro said “It’s one thing to make a picture of what a person looks like, and it’s another thing to make a portrait of who they are.”

Textile artist Andrea Cryer’s portrait diptych called ‘Kath 18 and 88’ indeed goes beyond “nice pictures.” The two images hung side-by-side truly capture Andrea’s mother-in-law’s spirit and essence in remarkable ways. She also offers viewers intimate snapshots of specific times in Kath’s life that reveal the complex layers of meaning that come with the passage of time.

In this article, Andrea offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the portraits were created, as well as her thought process related to symbolism and family that were folded into each piece. You’ll also learn how Kath reacted to her portraits shortly before her passing.

Andrea graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA (Hons) in Creative Art (Fine Art & Textiles). Her work has been exhibited globally, including the Bath Art (2018) and Windsor Contemporary Art (2017) Fairs. Andrea was also a finalist in the Hand & Lock International Embroidery Competition (2016).