Sabine Kaner : Hand Stitched Stories
Sabine Kaner’s exhibition presents textile-based images that speak to social-political issues. Each piece translates through a process of mixed media layering, paint/print appliqué and hand embroidery stitching. Hidden layers of meaning and autobiographical references are depicted using colour, metaphor, and symbols. The stories within the work highlight issues and evoke discussion.
Sabine Kaner’s exhibition Hand Stitched Stories uses a variety of textile-based mixed media techniques. The focus of the work centres around socio-political issues, both past and present.
The main process of making is hand stitching, which is enhanced by a variety of materials and mediums. This includes but is not restricted to appliqué, boiled wool, felt, glass, paint and printmaking. A main feature of the work is the use of repurposed clothing, with some garments being used that have personal and autobiographical connections which are integral to the stories that I am portraying.
Metaphor and symbolism play a large part in the work and can be seen in the use of colour, as well as the shape and the composition of the chosen stitched components.
‘I have created artwork that references personal and historical events, such as the docking of the HMS Windrush at Southampton, bringing Caribbean migrants into the UK, including my father, who arrived on the first boat in June 1948, 75 years ago.
‘My aim is to generate conversations, highlight socio-political, health and environmental issues, and share memories that I experienced as a member of an underrepresented group.
‘Accompanying the work, are textual narratives that are used to connect with the audience, stimulate conversations, and to illustrate the stories behind the pictures. This is all purposely constructed with the intention of drawing the viewer further into the visual narrative of the work and engage with its subject matter.’