The Impact of Traditional Embroidery and Stitch Techniques on Contemporary Art Practice

We are used to understanding embroidery as techniques and methods through which to decorate fabric with a needle and thread and as such is perceived as having a strong provenance in the history and cultural practices of the applied arts and crafts. The practice of embroidery is thought to date from the 3rd century and has been a feature of ethnic and folk artists reflecting cultural identity. In the form of household items embroidered and stitched objects were created in traditional techniques through the application of indigenous motifs. Contemporary practice in the arts has undergone a blurring of previously understood barriers with artists exploiting and exploring techniques that cross recognized thresholds to explore new concepts and make unique statements in a discourse between making in the applied arts and crafts. In these new spaces of practice artists as makers are creating objects as statements using the basic techniques of embroidery to realize new forms of expression in conjunction with unconventional materials and combinations of diverse techniques. This paper aims to identify and classify the primary methodologies of practitioners in the combining of traditional techniques of making within new contemporary applied and fine art contexts through researching key practitioners in the field, their techniques, methods and approaches.