Sophie Neville - NUA MA Showcase 2021
Eleven fabric rectangles pieced together in an uneven shape. Each one features the word ‘riot’ hand embroidered in different fonts, colours and sizes.

My practice combines traditional textile crafts with contemporary socio-political subjects. I create mostly text-based art by hand embroidering into fabric. My works vary in scale, from small pieces to larger wall hangings and installations which explore complex issues through multiple pieces of text and imagery. Much of the text I use is appropriated from social media and other online resources. I use hand embroidery to reinterpret digital text because its inherent slowness and permanence provides a complete contrast to the fast-paced and ephemeral online world.

Wall-based installation featuring fifteen different textile objects including a knitted scarf, an embroidered banner and embroidered pieces of clothing all featuring text relating to the word ‘riot’.

For my Masters Project I have brought together my interests in language, politics and textiles to create It’s A Riot; a multi-piece textile installation and video. I became fascinated by the word ‘riot’ and the many different meanings it has within news, politics, pop culture and everyday language. I found the interpretations of the word which interested me most, and turned each one into a different artwork. I then used this series of objects to form a wall-based installation which serves as a visual map of the word ‘riot’. I have also created a video of the installation which I hope will allow online audiences to experience both the detail and artistry of the works, and the dynamic nature of the subject matter.

Video showing textile artworks relating to the word ‘riot’ on a white gallery wall and outdoors being worn, held, waved and posed in front of fields, alleys and brick walls.
Open and view video in lightbox
Black hoodie hung backwards on a wall. The back is hand embroidered with the words of the Riot Act in white gothic text.
Blue sleeveless denim jacket hung backwards on a wall. The back is covered with red, white and black patches embroidered and painted with music-related phrases which use the word ‘riot’.

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