Not many textile artists run to the hardware store for supplies. But then again, Rodrigo Franzão is not just any textile artist. Inspired as a child by the textile nature of the wires, copper and other materials his electrician father used at work, Rodrigo has imagined and executed the most incredible works using those very same materials.

He’s also mastered an ability to turn seemingly cumbersome industrial materials into delicate and intricate installation pieces. And his constant experimentation has led to surprising results. You’re sure to find yourself asking ‘how did he do that?’ while viewing his creative work.

Rodrigo lives in Brazil. He graduated in Arts, Letters and MBA in Art History and Visual Culture. He has participated in solo and group exhibitions across the globe. Of note were his solo exhibits Katharsis at the National Arts Club in New York, USA (2015) and Surface and Abstractions at the Odivelas Exhibition Center in Lisbon, Portugal (2016).

Rodrigo Franzão: What I hear, 2018, 100 cm x 140 cm x 10 cm, Elastic, synthetic enamel, ink marker, cotton fabric folded on canvas

Amy Louise Baker is an artist and maker known for her glorious green hoops and woven designs. She experiments with fiber art techniques including weaving and embroidery to make joyful abstract versions of moss and lichen.

Amy completed a Foundation Degree in Graphic Communications at Kingston University, London in 2011 and also holds a BSc in Biology from the University of York (2007). She combines her love of both science and art in her graphic design and textile art. Her work has been exhibited at Hot Art Wet City “6th Annual Boobies and Wieners” Vancouver BC, 2019 and at the D&AD “New Blood Awards” London UK, 2011, as well as being awarded the Editor’s pick in “Make a Statement Large Format Art Challenge” Minted, 2018 (collaboration).

In this interview, discover her journey to becoming an artist and how her science background inspires her art. Amy also shares her joyful approach of experimentation and explains how her love of trying new techniques and materials drives her.

Amy Louise Baker: Pink And Blue (Detail), 2017, 6″ x 6″, Ink on Fabric, Embroidery

Perhaps no one is as surprised at David Taylor’s quilt art fame than David himself. His plan was to become an award-winning graphic artist, but a recommendation from a good friend and a lifelong love of fabric took him in a whole new direction.

David’s unique techniques in constructing his quilts are equally surprising. It’s probably safe to say not many quilters rely upon the ‘artistic’ strategies of building jigsaw puzzles and Legos. But when you read David’s rationale, it will make perfect sense.

David’s art quilts are as colorful and inviting as his personal sense of style and humour. His stories of constructing his own apparel as a young man are both touching and funny. And he offers a detailed look into his remarkable construction process.

David Taylor is a two-time recipient of the Master Award for Contemporary Quilting from the International Quilt Association (2006, 2014), the Brother Wall Machine Workmanship Award from the American Quilters Society (Paducah Quilt Week, 2008), and a two-time Best of Show winner at the IQA’s Spring Festival in Chicago (2007, 2008). His works hang in numerous private collections.

Gavin Fry is a hand embroiderer and collagist. He recognises that both the world and how he feels about it change constantly, and so Gavin develops his ideas and documents these in his visual diaries and artworks.

Gavin originally studied embroidery at Goldsmiths College in London under renowned and inspirational teachers, Eirian Short, Constance Howard and Audrey Walker. He is now a lecturer in visual communication at the University of Brighton where he gained his doctorate. Both his teaching and research are key to his art practice.

Gavin’s work has been showcased in exhibitions across the UK throughout his career from 1986 until 2019, his most recent being a body of work for the 62 Group exhibition ‘Construct’ at Sunny Bank Mills Gallery in Pudsey, West Yorkshire.

In this interview, Gavin describes his most recent work, ’24 hours in Police Custody’ which he developed for the exhibition and which was inspired by the Channel 4 drama of the same name. Gavin takes us through the story of his visual diaries – with Debbie Harry making a guest appearance – and shares with us how he combined his beloved techniques of collage and hand-stitch with carefully selected printed cloth and thread to craft this intriguing piece.

Jaynie Crimmins: A Field Guide to Getting Lost #7, 2018, 12″ x 12″ x 2″D, shredded promotional mailings over armatures mounted on wood, framed in a shadowbox w/ museum glass

Art as protest

TextileArtist.org: What initially attracted you to textiles as a medium? How was your imagination captured?

Jaynie Crimmins: Although I do not now consider myself a textile artist, I use sewing as one of the techniques to fabricate my work. Visits to my grandparents introduced me to sewing, knitting and crocheting. And my maternal grandmother was a wizard at repurposing by cutting all of our old clothing into strips to crochet huge, functional rag rugs.