Dionne Swift

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Dionne Swift carves the wildness of windswept landscapes into fabric, creating ploughed furrows of subtle and surprising tones. Using specialist devoré processes on velvet I explore the changing structural qualities in the landscape. Dyeing and hand painting the cloth, I over paint and employ dye reduction techniques to develop visual layers and the notion of depth – This has been my field of specialism for over 13 years. I offer workshops/master classes and supplies in order to pass on my skills. In addition to this, supported by the Arts Council, I have been developing a new body of work. ‘New Grounds’ has allowed me the freedom to explore new concepts and discover a more personal creative identity. I have experimented with printmaking as a basis to explore marks and surfaces. There is a connection with the structural devoré work that I am so comfortable with, yet I feel the outcomes offer a more sophisticated palette. New work stretches the exploration of structure and offers a more three-dimensional approach. Connections with stitch, cloth and machine create elegant forms and bold marks to entice the viewer. ‘New Grounds’ premiers at the Knitting and Stitching shows 2009, then a gallery tour commences from Bankfield Gallery, Halifax in 2010. I studied for my degree at Goldsmith’s, London University and for my Masters at UCE. I now lecture part time at the University of Huddersfield and continue with my textile practice from my studio in Huddersfield. I offer talks about my work and career, I run various workshops, exhibit widely and welcome commissions and projects.

Specialist Textile/Devore workshops...."Beyond what I had expected, I have realised my love of textiles, you have been inspirational."