Visionaries

JENNIFER ROBERTSON
Turbidite is the first of on ongoing series of works informed by research into tectonic
geological formations and weaving. Since beginning this body of work in late 2015, I
have found the more I have delved into the subject matter, the more correlations and
likenesses there are to be found between geological formations, deformations and
weaving. Geologists have historically used textile analogies and language to describe
what is seen as physical geological phenomena - pleats, buckles, drapes and folds, fabric
or cloth of the earth. A profound symbol of connection to earth, tectonic fabric gently
and softly covers.
Some minerals seen in their smallest repeating atomic stacking lattice structures share
the same structure as weaves, for example the mineral corundum shares an atomic
lattice structure with a 2/1 twill weave. Tectonic fabrics reflect the history of their
deformation, displaying geometric features such as lineations and foliations subject to
different types of folds, buckles and pleats depending upon metamorphic movement. It
is precisely in the deformations that new knowledge and understanding is gleaned.
My endeavours in this individual research continue to plough and pioneer new ground
for weaving, particularly with new knowledge gained by developing and creating
composite materials. Whilst I am initially developing artistic woven composite artworks,
there is huge visionary potential to explore new and innovative applications.
As a result, I have been invited to give an international Keynote Address to the World
Congress of Material Sciences and Engineering to be held in Las Vegas, USA, later this
year and also to a Global Congress on Composite Materials and Advanced Ceramics to be
held in Malaysia.
On a final note, a recent artwork woven with quartz, carbon and stainless steel is part of
a final selection that will be exhibited at the Triennale of Kogei World Craft in Kanazawa,
Japan, one of seventy-two works from over five hundred world-wide entries representing
all crafts; keen to see excellent concepts through expressivity in techniques and skill
incorporating a nuanced understanding with a contemporary, broader perspective of
kogei(craft) providing a taste of a new era.