Collection: Kathleen Murphy : Fabric Sculptor: Ross on Wye

Ross-on-Wye based maker, Kathleen Murphy specialises in constructing with needle and thread. 

Working predominantly with a single needle as her tool, Kathleen uses it to draw, embellish and construct with. By combining handstitch with found objects and repurposed materials, she creates detailed 3D pieces which can be identified by a strong sense of narrative and her use of colourful embroidery. These pieces are inspired by folk culture and a fascination with the wooded landscape.

The body of work for the exhibition is part of my Silva Populi series of characters. Some are presented in glass jars, while smaller versions have legs which stand upon little cotton reel plinths. All have removable masks and headdresses. Each character is a one-off, made from predominantly repurposed materials and stitched by hand. Embellished with hand embroidery. 

As with much of my work, there is a story attached to the Silva Populi. Briefly, they come from another world, a vast wooded place called Skyruda Binrog. They are a shy people who disguise themselves as creatures of the woods in headdresses and masks so they don't draw attention to themselves. Their role is to pick up the stray words from the woodland floor which have been left behind by The Storyteller.