HATalk Competition Entry 2023

Christina May

Maker
Christina May

Country
England

Name of Hat

Description

The earth supports life on the planet and we are putting more and more rubbish into the land and sea. This piece is based on a series of mixed media pictures of the 4 seasons showing growth through the rubbish filled land. Despite the rubbish plants do grow and the feathers represent the grass. However, the rubbish reduces the goodness in the land and the yellow feathers represent the struggling plants. So the piece demonstrates that although all looks well on the surface underneath is in need of attention.

The design is intended to draw attention to the need to deal more effectively with waste as we only have this Earth/earth and depend on its health for our lives and well-being.

Materials:

Sinamay fabric
Silk abaca
Faux dupion
Wire
Stamens
Leaves
Feathers
Elastic
Petersham
Cotton fabric
Powertex liquid
Powertex stone art
Powertex mini balls.
Misc. oddments of metal, paper, plastic eg. screw
Dry brushing pigments

Techniques:

Blocked sinamay base
Hand made silk abaca flowers onto wire and added purchased leaves
Hand sewed flowers and feathers to base.
Cotton fabric soaked in Powertex placed to create the earth/soil
Add Powertex liquid and stone art to create texture
Add oddments into the “soil” and recoat with Powertex liquid.
Dry brush with pigments to indicate rust on the metal pieces extending onto the base to blend the colour
Add elastic
Hand sewn lining in base
Hand sewn Petersham band

Note: Entries have been not been edited or proofread to protect the integrity of the maker's original meaning.