I’m using blue interlacing ropes to make a body-piece. It imitates robes, structures and objects used for manual work. Inspired by my Celtic ancestry of farmers and fishermen, these lines represent my invisible DNA and turn it into a visible story. They wind their way around tales of crumbling abbeys, dry stone walls and fishermen’s nets. The rhythmical knot making echoes back to ancient chants and incorporates traditional patterns that are universal, yet personal to all.

A knitted yoke bears the weight of the body piece. It is made with recycled and up-cycled found materials. They have been dyed, cut into long strips, then padded and stitched into cables. The yoke represents necessity and need, burden and drudgery. In contrast, opulent blue silk cables, reflecting ecclesiastical regalia, pageantry and status, hang from the yoke, imitating life. Blue, with its rich history, is the colour of my story.

Denise Cruickshank

Blue

she/her

'Blue'

'Blue'

'Life and Times'

'Life and Times'

'DNA'

'DNA'

'In Knots'

'In Knots'

'Out of Knots'

'Out of Knots'

'Haptic'

'Haptic'

'Values'

'Values'

'Abbey, walls and nets'

'Abbey, walls and nets'

'Saint Bridget's Cross'

'Saint Bridget's Cross'

'Past, Present, Future'

'Past, Present, Future'

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  • Applied Materials