Statement: The Beginning

My journey started with casual search for textile designers that interested me in a particular way. I have always loved bright multicolour, and after doing some book research Susie Freeman caught my attention in particular. Initially I chose her as one of the artists for my project because her recurring use of pills, amongst other things, always gives her work a variety of colours and makes it pleasing to look at.

Chemical Allsorts

I soon discovered that Susie Freeman aims to convey a message in every one of her works. The incorporation of pharmaceuticals in her pieces is intended to address the problem of Britain's consumption and reliance on modern medicine.

"Cradle to Grave explores our approach to health in Britain today. The piece incorporates a lifetime supply of prescribed drugs knitted into two lengths of fabric, illustrating the medical stories of one woman and one man." British Museum Online Catalogue

Her interest in this issue was the outcome of a "household filled with talk about science-related issues" and her friendship with Dr Liz Lee, a GP. Susie Freeman studied Textiles and Fashion at Manchester Metropolitan University and later took a Textiles course at the Royal College of Art, where she developed a pocket knitting technique which trapped small objects into fabrics (see Chemical Allsorts). Freeman used this technique to combine Dr Lee's medical knowledge with textiles to create "potentially useful artworks that illustrate everyday medical issues."

Susie Freeman uses her art as political statements illuminating these key issues, and so raising awareness in society.

http://www.rowleygallery.com/Artist-Susie-Freeman.aspx

This concept of hers spurred me to continue my research into how textile artists use their art as political statements, to get their views across through a creative medium.

It was easy to find examples of this popular branch of art both in high profile exhibition work...