FOR THE LOVE OF TOUCH:
CAMILLA LUNDBLAD AND LOUISA MUIR-LITTLE
Material designer Louisa Muir-Little specialises in knitted textiles
and the creation of three-dimensional material worlds.
Muir-Little’s practice challenges the perceptions of knitting as “old-fashioned”, and she uses the combination of digital
and hand processes to push the boundaries of textile design.
Sensory Connection I
While studying at Manchester School of Art, Muir-Little developed
a knowledge of domestic knitting and knitting with the use of a machine. She also learnt about digital design tools such as laser cutting and 3D printing and has endeavoured to bring the two fields together in her work.
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“With the increased use of technology in our daily lives I think
it is important to remain connected to our physical environment through tactility and physical interaction with our surroundings,” she says.
Her work is inspired by geometric shapes, and she creates knitted landscapes with 3D textile collages.
“I often take inspiration from geometric architecture
as I like the patterns and textures and I enjoy considering how I can remake these concrete structures
into tactile textile pieces.”
The work that is included in the Cluster Crafts collection
is titled Sensory Connection and is part of a body of work that looked into how textile design could help provide multi-sensory stimulation for people with dementia.
“I really enjoyed this research and conducting a material exploration into how textiles could be used to create multi-sensory experiences,” Muir-Little explains.
“I like to produce interesting textile pieces that are visually appealing as well as having tactile properties.
Sensory Connection II
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Sensory Connection III
For Sensory Connection Muir-Little explored using acrylic sheets within the textiles to create more structure
and a contrasting texture to the softness of the knitted textile. The acrylics are laser cut and has structural properties that remind Muir-Little of paper,
the material on which all her ideas are born.
“For this collection I wanted to use colours that would encourage happiness,” she explains. “My initial colour palette was red and blue – red is a stimulating colour and blue is relaxing. I then incorporated green
and yellow as I took inspiration for the shapes
and patterns in this collection from circuit boards,
playing on the idea of technology to create
and enhance multi-sensory stimulation.”
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The experience of touch is important throughout
the process. As it is with another of Cluster Crafts’ textile designers, Camilla Lundblad.
Camilla Lundblad works across various design
and crafts mediums. In the 1990s she studied graphic design, which is a visible influence in the look
of her work as an artisanal maker. Her work has a bold, illustrative element to it.
Since 2010, her primary focus has been on hand-tufting, creating colourful textured tapestries.
“I like the hand-tufting technique because it reminds me
of painting,” she says. “I work with colours and shapes
in an intuitive way, sketching directly on to the canvas and every piece becomes unique.
I love that you can feel, smell and listen to fabrics.”
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The pieces she has in the Cluster Crafts online exhibition
and in the Cluster Crafts store are a series of three tapestries
that work either as a triptych or as stand-alone art.
The name of the series is Colour Geometry,
and each is made from both wool and linen fibres.
“My inspiration comes from many things: from art,
craft and design history. But also from daily life, things I see,
garbage, colour on a wall, fragments.”
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When she begins a piece, Lundblad. explains that she allows the process
to dictate the end result, allowing the colours and materials to work through her, instead of forcing a pre-determined plan onto them.
She approaches her work with a playful openness, and the finished piece is often a surprise to her.
“I work with colours in an intuitive way, like the rest of my process,”
she explains. “I often have a vague idea to start with,
like if it should be light or dark, have contrast and gradients.
Then the colours, texture and material talks to me in some sense
and let me know next step in the process of making.”
The work of both Lundblad and Muir-Little invites the view to consider the power of tactility on our mood and,
even through a screen, the pieces ask to be touched. You can view more of their work
on the Cluster Crafts online exhibition and on the Cluster online store.
Thank you for reading,
Katie De Klee & Cluster Team.