Observing first hand the colours, patterns and textures of the land and recording these emotions as expressive paintings that have a sense of place is the starting point for all Sarah’s energetic embroideries.
The first layers of these textile works are the result of a selection process of an artist’s eye, choosing fabrics that start to tell a story; often a snippet of a sari from a friend or the sleeve of a velvet shirt from her sister. The fun begins here with her trusted sewing machine and free-machine embroidery using loose expressive marks to build up layers that take the viewer on a journey over the surface of the work. The incidental distortions of the fabric are all part of the resulting rich textures. Combining velvets and shot-silks with matt and lustrous threads are her tools to develop dynamic layers and balance.
Sarah Pooley studied Fashion & Textiles at Liverpool, graduating with a BA (Hons) before working as a knitwear designer and then in Interior Design and soft furnishings. She is now a full time artist pulling on her textile, design background and her love of the landscape in Scotland and Cornwall to create these unique embroideries.
Currently represented @padstowgallery and @thebyregallery (summer show).
