“I love to subvert people’s associations and preconceptions of knitting and crochet. To engage audiences with challenging issues.
My artwork is about more than just the idea. It’s imbued with symbolism – sometimes autobiographical, always issue based.”
In November 2011, artist and writer Lauren O'Farrell, aka Deadly Knitshade) creator of Stitch London craft community, founder of graffiti knitting and craft collective, Knit the City, described me as the ‘Banksy of Knitting’ in her article ‘Knitting the Riots’ for Crafty Crafty. The comment referred to my work ‘Out of the Blue’ – a knitted response to the London Riots that explored craft as a form of social commentary and public dialogue..
I hold a First Class Honours degree in Digital Multimedia from De Montfort University, Leicester, and an MA in Knitted Textiles from Royal College of Art.
My MA dissertation ‘Myth: Black People Don't Knit - the importance of art and oral histories for documenting the experiences of black knitters’, was awarded a distinction and highly commended for its contribution to documenting overlooked knititng histories..
IMy practice brings together the roles of artist, curator, researcher, educator, knitwear designer, performer and filmmaker. Across my work, the process of making is as important as the finished piece, combining craft, storytelling, performance and social history.
As an independent researcher, I explore the visibility of Black makers within craft history, with a particular focus on documenting hidden histories and underrepresented voices in knitting and textile culture.
In 2004, I was awarded an MBE for services to the community. I am also a Patron of the Knitting & Crochet Guild an inaugural member of Vogue Knitting's Diversity Advisory Council and Chair of Hastings Museum and Art Gallery Community Panel. Ann Chown Photo Credit
