Anthony Stevens, Brighton, U.K.

Your Story

Textile Art as Therapy and Self Expression

I am a U.K based, self taught textile Artist. I use my work as a form of therapy and self expression.

Primarily, my work is about expressing and processing life, past and present. I chose to work with textiles and embroidery as these were materials which were always around me as a child. It seemed natural to gravitate towards them.  Many of the images I use come from my practise of Nichiren Buddhism and chanting ‘Nam Myoho Renge Kyo’. Whilst chanting, I tend to see images in my minds eye which at times come with an intuitive feeling as to whether this is something worth working with.

It is during the actual creative process that the image starts to reveal it’s many layers of meaning to me. This is also reflected in the actual textiles themselves (for instance, I use stripes in most of my work. These represent to me the ongoing drama of life and death, consciousness and unconsciousness ) and the manner in which I stitch. I guess it’s me dancing with my inner dynamics so that I can find a rhythm that is both constructive and wonderful.

I will also often choose to work with with scrap fabrics. By choosing to do this, I am forced to look creatively and perceive potential in what may seem to be useless and beyond repair. This is in direct correlation with how I strive to perceive my own life and my experiences. As with life, it is sometimes a painstaking and frustrating process, but ultimately I feel joy and satisfaction with the result.

I work in mental health peer support when not making art, and facilitate a monthly drop in group where people can come and chat and use embroidery/textile collage etc as a bonding distractional activity. I also occasionally tutor longer courses where, I link recovery skills such as mindfulness in with embroidery. I have one of these starting in June which will run for 4, 3hour sessions and a one day event coming up in November.

In the past few years, I have been fortunate enough to have had both solo and group shows in London, Brighton and Frankfurt.

Artist website

Facebook page

Twitter

Most Recent Portfolios