DARREN BALL
TEXTILE ARTIST
SOLO EXHIBITION
Darren trained in Fashion Textiles, specialising in hand knit. His embroidery reflects his love of textiles, and the visual qualities present in fabric and thread. Darren aims to draw and paint with textiles, his mark making is achieved through sewing, contrasting surface qualities and embellishment. Often working with fabrics collected over many years.
He uses a domestic sewing machine to applique and free embroider personal narratives or ideas, inspired by memorabilia or his collection of vintage ‘Stitch Craft’ magazines. He feels that it is appropriate that he should be interpreting some of these images through stitch as the magazines provided a creative textile outlet for women during the period. Darren has successfully produced several series of textile narratives of work over the past decade, this latest body of work brings these characters into the 21st century to great effect.
As a member of the Sussex Guild of Craftsmen, Darren has exhibited at many of their shows throughout Sussex. He has also exhibited in Surrey, Brighton and West Dean and at specialist textile fairs in London.
Commissions are undertaken for personalised work or bespoke projects, and he specialises in responding to personal photographs and special occasions.