Artist Statement

I am interested in the relationship between 'nature' and ‘constructed' or designed nature, particulalry ornate Rococo floral motives from the 18th cent. My interest in Jacquard weaving started in 1997 with Ada Lovelace’s quote: “The Analytical Engine weaves algebraic patterns just as the Jacquard loom weaves flowers and leaves”. Ada had a background in art and science, poetry and mathematics (her father, Byron, was a poet and her mother a mathematician). This reflects my own interests in science, art and language.

Ada was educated in mathematics and collaborated with Charles Babbage, who invented the 'Analytical Engine' in 1843. It never quite worked, but contained the basic operating principles used by computers today. Ada translated a text by Manabrea and her notes took up more space than the original text and contain the first instances of written software. She discusses the process derived from the Jacquard loom, which uses punched cards to store and process complex information as 'zeros and ones'.

Textiles brought back to Europe from Asia during the 18th century, created a demand for local production of elaborate woven floral designs. Textiles play an important economic role historically and still today; they reflect cultural exchanges, colonial relationships, cause trade wars and labour problems.

The Jacquard loom was central to the industrial development in 1804 and represents the positive and neagative aspects of technology. Developed as part of the Industrial revolution, the Jacquard loom caused obvious labour problems. Ned Ludd was a Lancashire weaver who protested and fought the use of these new machines and left us the term 'luddite'.

Crafts and contemporary weaving are often associated with ‘traditions’ and often a romantic view of a past, lost forever. Working with ones hands holds many of the same desires associated with a desire for untainted nature. In reality, textiles have often lead innovation and technological change.