ARTIST STATEMENT
Familial bonds are crucial to development, supporting us from our early stages of life into adulthood and the realisation of the individual self. ‘Bloodline’ explores how the messages we receive build our values, our views of ourselves and others, and ultimately our perceptions of reality. Constructed out of old shirts donated from family members, messages from my parents are crocheted within the structure of the form. An interconnected web representing the complexity of identity in relation to early life and family dynamics. ‘Bloodline’ aims to translate the influence of family on personal identity into a physical, wearable form.
ARTWORK PROCESS
Conceptually Portia's work explores the familial impact on personal growth, and shared intergenerational traits/beliefs woven from past experiences and those who came before. Portia's making process mirrors this by utilising an experimental and organic approach to materials. Firstly creating mixed media drawings using colour, text and thread that explore subject matte. Portia then explores these ideas 3 dimensionally through textiles. In particular, Portia explores fabric and thread that is crocheted and woven with text as she explores the concept of human vascular systems.
