CQ West: Unfolding Stories 3

COLIN BRANDI
colinbrandi@hotmail.co.uk
I made my first quilts in 1989 after a chance
meeting with an American quilt artist. I left
work in 1991 to follow my new passion and
in 1998 I achieved a First Class Honours
degree in Art and Design from UCE. After
an extended break from my artistic
practice I have recently begun to make
quilts again which, after more than 15
years, is challenging. I resumed by
returning to the point at which I stopped
making in 2000 when texture had become
an important element in my work.
Moving forward I am seeking a ‘language’
for my current and future work which is
process led while referencing the traditions
of quilt making. I am also influenced by
contemporary practice, the abstract art
movement of the early 20th century and
the ‘improvisational’ way in which some
African American quilters have worked.
The starting point for my work is either a
single fabric or the combination of two or
more, concentrating on surface texture
and 'broken colour'. I use a wide range of
textiles - new, recycled, found and
donated but primarily natural fibres (some
of which I dye myself). The quilts evolve
and change as I work, they are abstract
images/objects 'painted with cloth'. In the
final processing I relinquish control and
introduce serendipity, acceptance of
change, transition and impermanence
paying homage to the Japanese Wabi-
Sabi philosophy. For me, each quilt ceases
to be just image and becomes a three
dimensional tactile ‘object’ with a life story.
In my view quilts were once tactile objects
which should be touched and I aim to
restore that element to my work.