Splinter Contemporary Artists: Sue Reid

Textile artist

From memory what was the first thing you made with your hands?

The first thing I can remember making was a dress for my doll Mary, black velvet. I was very ill at the time and I remember the black velvet with hairs and dust on it. When I was well I could not bear to look at it because of the memory of being so ill. This did not stop my love of sewing and I made many more pieces for my dolls and myself in the years to follow.

What are you making with your hands right now?

At the moment I am making two distinctly different applique pieces using fabric, photo imagery, paint and embroidery thread. I have begun a whimsical piece with flowers and birds which a child may love, and I am planning a more structured, mathematical piece based on op art. I love working with fabric. I love pattern, colour (especially orange) and anything mathematical, that’s me.

Why is the art of handmade so important?

Every piece of handmade has so much of the artist in it. Words used to describe the making of a piece include, love, joy, perseverance, immersion of oneself, making mistakes, learning, soul, skill, passion, planning, spontaneity, all of these experienced by the artist at some time.