Fragmentation and Repair: For Mixed-Media And Textile Artists

by Shelley Rhodes

Discover the rich creative possibilities of fragmentation and repair in textile art.

Fragmentation and repair are two of the biggest buzzwords in textile and mixed-media art. In this fascinating book, renowned artist Shelley Rhodes explores both concepts, with a wealth of fresh ideas and practical advice.

Drawing on her own practice, Shelley explains how she reconstructs and reassembles cloth, paper and other materials to create new pieces, often incorporating found objects and items she has collected over the years to add depth and emotional resonance. From piercing and devoré to patching and darning, techniques include:

• Fragmentation of materials, text and image.
• Repair using darning and patching along with pins, tape, adhesive and plaster.
• The Japanese concepts of wabi-sabi (finding beauty in imperfection) and mottainai (using every last scrap).
• Using salvaged and recycled materials, and repurposing household items.
• Methods of distressing and manipulating surfaces including weathering, abrasion, burning, piercing, staining and burying.
• Collage, working in a series and collecting fragments.

Beautifully illustrated with Shelley's own pieces alongside those of other leading artists, this fascinating book is the ideal companion for any textile artist wanting to bring notions of fragility, fragmentation and repair into their own work.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Crafts, Sewing

144 pages, Hardcover

First published September 16, 2021

Reviews

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really great inspiration.
Includes a variety of things to try

Altering Surfaces
--soaking
soak in saltwater allow water to evapoate - salt crystals form
--Staining
wrap around things like rusty objects, or foliage, leave outside in the rain
--making holes
piercing punching, making a bleach mixture

Binding or bundleing fragements together

Patching and darning
Stitch marks
Wabi-sabi collage
Found fragments
Disgarded plastics

Mottainai - translated as "too good to waste"
"...in other words to use every last crap and memnant --
... make tiny little compositions - joining, stitching and wrapping...

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love everything about this book! It's a bit similar to her first book, the difference though is the first book focuses more on the sketchbook (collecting ideas) and this books focuses more on assembling (weathering, soaking, folding etc).

[Liz Moffat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve finished this book but I am by no means finished with it. I will refer back to this constantly. It is beautifully illustrated and has so many good ideas. I will refer back to this in my various projects.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book. I will probably buy it