Christine Chester
Cherish, 2022
Paper, quink, recycled fabrics, thread Triptych of 10cm balls
In our ever changing climate, we need to cherish our world to ensure it's survival. This piece is made from traditional temari covered in handmade paper thread made in the Japanese method, and left outside to weather for a month. The thread is then removed and then restructured on to as many balls as it will cover.
Christine Chester
Layers of Memory ii, 2021
Linen, silk and cotton threads 50cm x 50cm x 2.5cm
Using a standard embroidery transfer, this piece shows the gradual deterioration of skill associated with age and dementia. The top of the piece shows the finest motor skills and understanding of the process of embroidery, whilst the bottom illustrates how a person may want to use previous skills, but has no memory of how to blend colours, use thread weights, follow designs and at some stage the completion of certain elements are beyond the limitations of the embroideress.
Christine Chester
Fading ii, 2019
Polyester organza, silk organza, paper 99cm x 130cm
Our memories fade with time, dementia, and loss.
Christine Chester
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants, 2019
Polyester Organza, paper, old quilt 204cm x 204cm x 10cm
The work of many thousands of makers, both named and unknown, enable me to push the boundaries of work today. This is a copy of a traditional red and white quilt, re made in transparent fabrics patterned with paper lamination.
Christine Chester
#neverthelessshepersisted, 2018
Fabric, thread 700cm x 205cm
Examining the working lives of women who worked in fustian factories who would walk the equivalent of Manchester to Stoke-on-Trent and back in a working week walking around the Fustian tables slitting the pile of the fabric. This is approximately 91 miles a week, represented by 91 miles of thread worked in 48 separate hour-long panels of machine fringing.
Christine Chester
Coastal Diary, 2016
Paper, thread, findings 360cm x 80cm x 6cm
Recording sound, tides and detritus from one beach, every day over a year.
Christine Chester
Coastal Diary section, 2016
Paper, thread, findings 90cm x 80cm x 10cm
Detail from full work showing the sound peaks and troughs of waves, tidal peaks and troughs and findings from the 3 months January - March
Christine Chester
Layers of Memory, 2012
Polyester organza, silk, paper, thread 99cm x 102cm
Dementia reveals that memory has many layers which are gradually revealed and subsequently hidden as the condition progresses. There are some things that are so key they are the last to disappear. For my father, this was his life as an inshore fisherman.
