Teabags on Net

Angel Wings - Covid Protection Teabags on net

When we went into extended lockdown with Covid I joined up with textile.org.uk Stitchclub and in 2020 Merill Comeau presented an online workshop using net as a base. A lot of Merill’s work is very large installations and using net as a base keeps the weight of the project down. It was a process I was keen to try.

The concepts for this piece was angel wings spreading over us. The top centre features a Covid mask and gloves (which at that time were mandatory out in public). Beneath that is some alpaca “paper” that is not perfect - it has some holes in it representing those that fell through the protective wings and succumbed to Covid.

The Teabags were applied directly onto net and free machine quilted with a variegated thread.

When I looked out my kitchen window during this time the Japanese anemones were flowering like a spark of hope. The 3 D flowers were made from an old shirt and the leaves are actual leaves off the plant sandwiched in organza before applying. When I looked up the meaning of white Japanese Anemones I discovered they symbolize sincerity and fragility which seemed very appropriate for the time we were living in.

The piece is so light that to hang it in this exhibition we had to use small bull dog clips at each side to stop the piece folding in on itself.