Melting across a void

Attaching plastic shapes across voided areas created by the curvaceous structure formed by bent willow and cane. Stitching held the plastic material secure while the heat gun started to shrink it. I loved the way the edges of the plastic shapes started to tighten as it shrunk and formed undulating edges: lines that seem to reflect edges of a coastline.

Printed text on the plastic appeared in places, reminding us of the origin of the material.

Initially I found plastic an unfriendly material - non compliant and hard - not the usual qualities when handling traditional textiles which appeal to emotional feelings of warmth and softness. 

The materials we use in our artwork effect the way we work with them and the way they are viewed by others so their symbolism is very important to me.

When starting to handle plastic materials I experienced an association with its ugliness, maybe also due to a dislike of the damage that discarded plastics are having on our planet.
As I continued working with plastic materials I felt a slightly more intimate connection with it's strength, impermeability and translucency that gives it such a stronghold in modern life.