Ties from the Past
“I started this series after looking thru op shops full of exotic coloured ties
and marveling at how they added colour to a basic black suit.
Now discarded, these ties called out to be returned to a useful life”
These pieces were for my first exhibition, held at Twin Rivers Art Centre,
Ngaruawahia, New Zealand, 2009.
and marveling at how they added colour to a basic black suit.
Now discarded, these ties called out to be returned to a useful life”
These pieces were for my first exhibition, held at Twin Rivers Art Centre,
Ngaruawahia, New Zealand, 2009.
Half Dresden 1300cm X 700cm $450

Blue ties, couched with feather yarn to a velveteen skirt backing.
Handmade beads and buttons with Kato Clay and gold leaf.
Handmade beads and buttons with Kato Clay and gold leaf.
Out of the Red 1400cm X 880cm $600

1st in the "Ties from the Past" spiral series.
I used the Fibonacci formula to make a spiral.
And the colours, blue with a bit of red, were an idea after National won the election from Labour (NZ 2008)
Blue and red ties sewn and couched with yarn, to a painted canvas base.
I used the Fibonacci formula to make a spiral.
And the colours, blue with a bit of red, were an idea after National won the election from Labour (NZ 2008)
Blue and red ties sewn and couched with yarn, to a painted canvas base.
Red Variation, 1400cm X 870cm $600

2nd in the spiral series.
A selection of blue and red ties sewn to a base of patchwork.
A black dyed, wooden bead, spiral pattern, holds centre ties down.
A selection of blue and red ties sewn to a base of patchwork.
A black dyed, wooden bead, spiral pattern, holds centre ties down.
Drop Off 1360cm X 1750cm $600

3rd in the spiral series.
But I realised this would be the last, as laying out the ties, they fell away and the spiral disintegrated.
Green ties sewn to a base of painted & dyed material couched with yarn spirals.
Tied to a painted back board.
But I realised this would be the last, as laying out the ties, they fell away and the spiral disintegrated.
Green ties sewn to a base of painted & dyed material couched with yarn spirals.
Tied to a painted back board.
Stained Glass 1300cm round $700

Bright multi coloured ties reminded me of the glass in Cathedral Rose Windows.
Ties and black cotton material “lead” sewn to a black painted canvas base.
Tied to a painted back board.
Ties and black cotton material “lead” sewn to a black painted canvas base.
Tied to a painted back board.
Kimono 1500cm X 1200cm $550

Black and red ties so reminiscent of Asian lacquer.
Sewn to black material then backed with recycled dress material.
Sewn to black material then backed with recycled dress material.
Purple Reign 1350cm X 1300cm $750

Shades of red to purple ties, woven and “tied” with a tacking stitch to a large piece of purple/blue shot curtain backing.
Tack threads on the back have been left long, reminiscent of a Japanese tied quilt.
Hanging sleeves are on 4 sides for a choice of ways to hang, as every hanging direction gives a different look.
Other hanging colour options shown below.
Tack threads on the back have been left long, reminiscent of a Japanese tied quilt.
Hanging sleeves are on 4 sides for a choice of ways to hang, as every hanging direction gives a different look.
Other hanging colour options shown below.
Shades 1050cm & 1270cm (hanging edges)
1400cm & 1500cm (sides) $650

This design emphasises the differences in tie sizes thru the years.
Each of the 4 sides have different measurements, even though opposite sides have the same amount of ties.
Cream to dark brown ties woven and “tied” with a tacking stitch to recycled dress material backing.
2 hanging sleeves gives a choice of ways to hang. .
Other hanging colour option shown below.
Each of the 4 sides have different measurements, even though opposite sides have the same amount of ties.
Cream to dark brown ties woven and “tied” with a tacking stitch to recycled dress material backing.
2 hanging sleeves gives a choice of ways to hang. .
Other hanging colour option shown below.
Wings Over a Mountain 1950cm X 1350cm $750

Ties are made on the bias of the material & don’t fray, making them ideal when cutting folds and sewing as feathers.
Blue ties glued to calico and then to a core board base. Red ties sewn to painted calico and glued to square cut core board pieces which were then wired to the core board base.
Blue ties glued to calico and then to a core board base. Red ties sewn to painted calico and glued to square cut core board pieces which were then wired to the core board base.
Raw Tips 750cm X 1800cm $250

How ever I tried to frame it, Raw Tips never looked "right" So the edges have been left raw.
Small point ends, from the ties used in #2 “Out of the Red”.
Small point ends, from the ties used in #2 “Out of the Red”.