LYNN EPPEL

I have always loved textiles. My maiden name was Taylor! My dad's business was importing textiles from France, Belgium, Uruguay and Israel and his brother ran a gents' outfitters in St George's Street after the war. Tape measures and swatches are part of my earliest memories. Fibre runs through my veins! During my 30s I had a small home industry of knitwear called Paradise Lost (with my sister) and we made retro knits from the 30s, 40s and 50s. When sanctions hit this country and natural fibres became hard to source, our mills started closing and the textile industry started struggling Paradise Lost came to an end.

I started making vessels about 7 years ago. A container is an essentially feminine construct and being made of fabric, takes it one step further.Although I had plenty of fabric initially, I still used to buy bits that took my fancy. Initially, my pots were far more orderly than they are now and I was determined to be symmetrical and orderly as I grew up learning to sew neatly.

As time passed and friends donated remnants of fabric they had no use for and others offered old evening dresses that had belonged to their mothers or aunties, my pots started becoming more deconstructed to accommodate the odd bits and pieces.

I haven't bought a thing towards pot making for the past five years of so, other than thread to hold them together. The vessels are created from donations. I love the fact I am literally turning waste into something constructive.

I have also been playing with the idea of alternative stitches to hold the pots together. Traditionally zig-zag is used but I am enjoying what I call "scritchy- scratchy" stitching, in other words, backwards and forwards. Particularly, as life becomes less regular and uncertain, the pot carries that irregularity.

I love adding bits of beautiful thread, wool, silk or whatever comes my way. In spite of all my plans for a pot, it still often surprises me...it seems to have an identity of its own.

The question I am asked most often is

" What do you use them for? "

Well, what do you use a sculpture or painting for?

The question reveals a lot about the person asking it! I have no doubt they are more orderly and their homes possibly a lot more "functional" than mine is! I have made vessels to honour extraordinary individuals, to commemorate beloved pets that have passed on, fun uncomplicated vessels too. Potluck has afforded me an opportunity to experiment, to work and play simultaneously. It has brought me luck....

available works