Veronica Pock | Handwoven textiles

Perdendosi

perdendosi (ˌpɛəˈdɛndəʊsɪ ) adjective: (of a piece of music) getting gradually quieter and dying away

In Italian, perendosi translates literally as ‘dying away’. So too is this year slowly fading away. September is drawing to a close. The equinox has been and gone, a day of equality in darkness and light when the changing of the seasons begins to feels more pronounced. The transition quickens at this time of year and the evenings suddenly begin to draw in. Time spent outdoors becomes curtailed by the ever-encroaching dusk. There is a twist of cold air in the mornings and a tang of leaf mould on the breeze.

Commissions

Before the long summer break (now a distant memory), I was commissioned to weave a wall hanging for a restaurant in San Francisco. Working to a short time schedule, this was a challenging project but luckily this piece came together naturally and was so satisfying to work on. Combining spun paper yarn with different textures of linen, once finished the woven honeycomb structure was turned through 90 degrees and hung from its selvedge, measuring 50cm deep and more than 300cm long. Once again, a commission has pushed me to think creatively and constructively.

Studio view

With a number of exhibitions on the horizon, I have been preparing pieces for hanging. Displaying them on my studio walls enables me to solve the practical issues of presenting woven textile pieces. Whether to frame, or to hang from a wooden baton or metal pole… there are many solutions and each piece seems to demand something different. However, it’s a satisfying feeling to think that these pieces will be leaving my studio – hopefully permanently – to be seen and enjoyed by others.

Handwoven scarves: available now

Ochre, rust, umber, ecru, blue and grey are all combined in wool and silk in the warp which makes up this limited edition collection of scarves, commissioned by a buyer in Japan. Each scarf is unique in its own subtle way. Finished with one of my distinctive labels, it’s a nice thought that these will bring warmth and happiness to customers half way across the world.

A range of my handwoven scarves is available on Etsy at Liminal Weave.

On the loom: R e M N a N t s collection

I strive to be as sustainable and as close to zero waste as possible in my weaving practice. These are both high and difficult goals to aim for. Using the waste warp ends of previous weaving projects, my R e M N a N t s collection integrates them as weft. Although I do sort the old warp ends into harmonious colourways, the random combination of these colours when weaving with them leads to interesting effects. Accidental colour combinations and patterns emerge. The intention is not to hide the process of reusing materials but to highlight it, hence the visible knots where pieces of yarn have been joined.

The new warp shown below, into which the waste warp has been woven, is a mercerised cotton which has been space dyed with avocado skins – my first foray into natural dyeing. Combined with a dark palette of old warp threads, it results in a striking, graphical result.

‘True colours’ exhibition at Kunstmuseum, The Hague

As seems to be the way, I always end up visiting exhibitions in the last few weeks, or even days of their run. I’m so glad I made it to this exhibition exploring the use of colour in art, and also colour as a form of expression of self. My particular favourites from ‘True colours’ were the two works by Bernard Frize (shown below). They have strong grid elements and I could see them both translating into weave.

Time out: the Scottish Hebrides

Although now a fond memory, in August I was lucky enough to revisit the beautiful island of Mull. The colours and textures are a deep mine of inspiration for me. There’s nothing that compares to the light dappling over the sea, watching the incoming weather arriving from the Outer Hebrides, sunlight and shade flickering across the waters, and glimpses of the island of Coll from the bay of Calgary. Such things are memories made of.

Thank you…

…so much for your support and for joining me on my creative journey through the seasons. Your support and interest really does make a difference. If you’d like to see more of my work and inspirations, I post regularly on Instagram @veronicapock and my work is available online at LiminalWEAVE on Etsy and Saatchi Art. I also have a mailing list; if you would like to keep up to date with latest events and updates you can join by clicking here.

Looking forward to seeing you again in late autumn,

with warmest wishes, Veronica