Heidi McEvoy-Swift
Heidi describes her process as Sewn Sculpture, and herself as a maker. With a background in theatre, design and education, her work is multidisciplined, moving freely between theatre, education, participatory and fine-art. Recent work addresses environmental issues and is research based. In contrast to her theatre work the sewn sculptures are small, often as seemingly insignificant and ephemeral as their component parts. The work is often created within the environment; left as an intervention into place.
Artist Statement
Combining waste from two different worlds; salvaged remnants of rich theatrical fabrics and simple organic matter from underfoot, along the coast or woodland, the work attempts to connect human ideals of what is precious, important or disposable, with the fragility and impermanence of natural ecologies. Investigating climate issues, rising sea levels, flood, and coastal erosion, then using stitch in a slow meditative process, much of this work attempts to reflect on human use and mis-use of natural resources, and examine the tensions and imbalance that exist as we attempt to dominate and control the uncontrollable. The choice of media, scale and process are a conscious attempt to mitigate issues of over-production and the environmental impact of materials, the maker's constant dilemma.
