Page 46 - The Digital Cloth Issue 6
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I remember when an old Fibre Art magazine got in touch                                                                  - the Limehouse Cut.                                  volunteers that kept things all moving and cared for so we
     for an interview in 2010 and I thought the worst about it                                                                                                                     could all stay home safe.
     (hey, it’s best to be honest!) and then I looked at a PDF                                                               Would you change anything?                            I made a set of denim clapping hands and they were
     copy and was amazed by all the incredible work and                                                                      Take the opportunities I had with a single focus and   animated to then be shown in public areas…it just took off
     that really sparked my interest into textile art as a                                                                   not to compromise. I have many regrets and it can eat   and the hours of work and red tape to get this all through
                                                                                                                             you up so letting them pass is best. Only listen and take  was horrendous but worthwhile now to see the amazing
     group, movement, niche. Of course, over the years                                                                       advice to people you respect and respectfully         support it brought to so many.
     I have become more involved into it and                                                                                 understand what you are trying to do.
     discovered so many incredible artists.

                                                                                                                             Ian’s Art work has been seen in many countries, giving
     Can you tell us a little about your technique                                                                           a chance for people to see the work in person. With
     and how you plan a piece of work?                                                                                       a number of sell-out solo shows, he has also shown
     I get asked many times to do lessons, I only do                                                                         across Europe and the States. It has been written about
     with kid’s classes. The way I work is both simple                                                                       in major media in all corners of the globe.
     and complicated but really it is just denim, glue,                                                                      In 2020 and 2021 Ian will show in many museums
     and sharp scissors…                                                                                                     across Europe and in the United States. Currently
                                                                                                                             showing at the Levi Strauss Museum in Germany and
                                                                                                                             in November he opens at the Museum Rijswijk in The
                                                                                                                             Netherlands

                                                                                                                             The I Clap For movement has Been shown all around
                                                         I build up the layers (yes, they are really                         the country tell us about that?
                                                             three-dimensional textures and not flat  (It is                 It began with an idea between Elliott and I and its
                                                                 disappointing how they look in photos and online            fantastic what we achieved.
                                                                   as they do look very flat)                                 “I Clap For” really happened by accident, It was

                                                                                                                             really a reaction to the Clapping that took off around
                                                                      I work from my own photography and ideas. I             the world with people in lockdown outside their homes
                                                                       use the denim to try and blend the surface layers     each day cheering and clapping to show their support
                                                                      to hide that it is denim. All the parts of the         and appreciation for the front line workers and
                                                                      denim like the pockets and hems are mostly
                                                                     taken out so that it’s not apparent it is made of
                                                                   denim so people think it’s a painting or... a
                                                                  photograph - a big achievement but I find that only
                                                                when someone gets close and realise its denim it’s
                                                              the aha moment. That is very satisfying.





      How did you come to use the denim in your creations?
      It was almost by accident; it was never to be what it
      was today. I had done a portrait of Tony Blair in
      newspaper and then went back to my family home
      to see an old pile of denim so I thought perhaps
      I could make a face like I did out of newspaper
      it was only when cutting up the denim I
      remembered my own connection to denim and
      the memories of wearing them.


      Where do you live and work?
      I am originally from a provincial town in the north
      of England, Huddersfield, that once had a booming
      textile industry. After living many places, Amsterdam,
      Sweden and in Sydney Australia, I am now in East London
      in an old dog biscuit factory by the oldest canal in London
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