Finished at last!
The composition shows the issues encountered by coral reefs, due to rising water temperatures and increased acidity. However, coral reefs do have the capacity to recover if conditions change. Research shows that corals need 9 - 12 years to recover, following large disturbances such as mass bleaching or storm damage. Researchers are pioneering ways to protect and restore coral reefs, which have an amazing capacity to adapt to healthier environments, so perhaps there is hope that they can be saved.
ooOoo
I have covered the hexagonal canvases (35 cms in diameter) in pale blue/turquoise silk painted faux silk. It is deliberately plain so that it does not detract from the 'coral reef'. I chose the hexagon shape for the canvases and the surface shapes, as the skeleton of corals has a hexagonal form.
The hexagons of varying sizes are made from silk-painted voile, backed onto felt and cut out with a soldering iron. There is a continuous line of straight stitch across the 3 canvases, with coral 'polyps' made from bound and steamed faux silk, and sea fans, made from pleated faux silk and and as well as painted vilene. I made the branching corals by stitching free machine embroidery on soluble fabric.
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This first canvas depicts the coral reef as it is now, a mixture of dark and light corals. I applied trapunto to the background so that the surface undulates, like the surface of a reef, then stitched the hexagons over the top.
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The second canvas doesn't have trapunto, as it depicts a lifeless surface as the coral begins to bleach. The straight stitches become erratic and the colours fade to pale pinks, blues and white. The reef starts to disintegrate. On the right of the canvas, the polyps are made from white net, indicating the fragility of the reef.
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Close up of polyps, made from net.
The 3rd canvas shows that corals can recover if healthier conditions prevail.
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I have used trapunto on this embroidery to indicate new life and vigourous growth. The colours are brighter than the first canvas to depict hope for the future.
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Close up showing undulating surface of the recovering reef.
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The 3 canvases as they would appear, hanging on the wall.
Costs
Canvases £3.99 each £11.97
Faux silk £1.45 a metre £2.90
Felt £3.99 a metre £1.50
Dynaflow £6 £6.00
Threads Various £5.00
D Rings 6 £3
Sundries £5
TOTAL £35.37
PAP 3 started 13/04/2022
PAP 3 completed 17/10/2023
Time spent on Design 117 hours
Time spent on Embroidery 168 hours
TOTAL 285 hours
