Week 2 Task:Being me – using the lens based on Gillan Rose Research Methodology Frame with a piece from my own practice

Above: The Narrative Napkin collection – 2026

PRODUCTION: 1. How made? 2. Genre? 3. Who? When? Who for? Why?

Made from IKEA napkins for most of the base. It has been gradually brought together as a meditative, contemplative process. Mostly it is in separate pieces which form this whole. It works with each part as a separate part, or together in this form. It was not made for a reason; it was a natural reaction. Most days around evening dinner, I process the day through this means – thus the IKEA napkin connection. Having tested this foundation, I found it to be strong and durable. Available. Possible. Takes paint, stitch and other distressing tools such as the drawn line.

It is a visual diary, a way to separate myself form the events experienced. Narrative/story based. Real. Personal. Genre is mixed media. Techniques and materials include Ink (drawing and text), embroidery. Use of recycled parts too. Formed as a therapeutic visualisation, process. Evaluation.

THE IMAGE ITSELF: 1. Visual effects? 2. Composition? 3. Visual Meanings?

Designed to draw you in, make you stop. Too small and uncertain to read easily. It must be slow, a gradual event. As mentioned within Production, it is made from separate parts, brought together as a whole. Both text and visuals. Effects are more emotionally biased. Thoughtful, provoking, questioning. Designed to be read, desire, curiosity. Not an easy percival…grasping intent takes time. Some will be left unknown – a question. Unplanned as a process – a need – cardinal to create.

Implied memory.

CIRCULATION: 1. Organised by who or what? Why? 2. How changed? 3. How circulated?

Organised by me to create the visual story you see. Changed by taking parts as separate and making them form an alternate expression. Circulated in a small way – intended for personal use – now used for teaching visuals and exhibition purposes.

AUDIENCE: 1. How interpreted? By whom? Why? 2. Viewing positions offered. Relation to other texts? 3. How displayed? Where?

I am the whom. It was created for me and me alone. No pre-planning, no desire or far-seeing view of what it could become. The need to diary my life visually. Work it this style has formed a large part of my ongoing practice and the way in wish I plan to proceed. It appeared in form n my published book Narrative Textiles (2024, Batsford) As to display, this could be as tried out on a table or as a framed piece.

To clarify:  Audience is first me, second the public, third my readership.

Fig 1: Audience – piece displayed as flat on table; audience deciphering meaning, note the need for conversation and questioning, a desire to touch.

Fig 2. View from above of table display of piece literally pushed as separates.

Fig. 3. Narrative Textiles (Batsford, 2024)

For those who need the reference, this is the Gillian Rose diagram I have been working from: