Record, Map & Capture in Textile Art by Jordan Cunliffe
In this tactile Batsford bound publication, the artist Jordan Cunliffe explores infographic creation through textile art. It is a fascinating look into a great way to share data and information, and this book features the author’s own work as well as other data-focused artists.
Let me be honest, I looked at the tile and thought to myself ‘this isn’t my sort of textile art genre, it will not be of interest’. Yet my pre-judged disposition has been overturned; data can be divine, it just takes a clever artist to use it within their practice. This artist has been through the usual learning journey, studying textile related subjects as well as surface design. We see this aspect of surface design pervade through the imagery proffered throughout this book.
I personally loved how Cunliffe manages to portray personal stories and narratives through the marragige of data and stitch methods. The work showcased may at times be perceived as asthetically simplistic, yet that is the magic of it - if we miss this then we miss the point of the book. It can be all to easy to create a textile art interpretation of a photograph, however how can one transmit emotion and meaning via the intelligent use of fabric? The titles of her work endear us to them - for example, ‘I could sleep for a week’ as displayed from page thirty six. Cunliffe explains around the pieces, generously revealing the time taken to create some of them. Deep meaning drowns this book; the small and often secret parts of our lives which we may not want to display or confess to all can be carefully hidden within our artwork. This book though in no novelty, no child Bourne secret message - it is a lesson in discernment, to know when to stop - this artist has become the queen of the reveal x conceal method.
Data, well actually it can be a thing of great beauty; it just takes time to understand why.
What life story do you wish to use in a data bound manner? How can a build up of stitch mean something? What do you want it to mean? Let this book inspire you to capture your own narrative.
Purchase your own copy right through this link.