Artist – Sarah Ruttle
A Little Piece of Magic
Schull Community Hospital & Bantry General Hospital, St. Joseph’s Unit
A Little Piece of Magic aimed to explore how traditional textile techniques can be used in a contemporary way. Using a variety of materials, visual artist Sarah Ruttle worked with Arts for Health participants to develop a collaborative making project. The project focused on reaching different tactile and sensory awareness, as well as incorporating recalled and newly learnt techniques.
A Little Piece of Magic began with sample workshops in both Schull Community Hospital and Bantry General Hospital, St. Joseph’s Unit. Here, participants began to explore a variety of techniques.
An Array of Textile Techniques
One of the alternative processes, which used cyanotype fabric, led participants to capture the energy of nature in their space. Participants carefully placed fuchsia, ivy, lace, and more on the fabric. Later, moving the fabric into patches of sunlight shining into the room created a lasting impression of local nature.
Early in the experimentation, cross stitch in vibrant colours on different bases gave the group an insight to traditional techniques used in a new way. Some participants developed their own individual studies, while others contributed to group pieces.
Continuing their exploration, the group looked into how to make woven fabric from scratch, how to use knot techniques inspired by farming and fishing days, and how to use cut, layered felt to build an intriguing composition.
Although process and technique led the main focus of the making, the group began to share stories which also influenced the work created. Chatting about the days of meitheál and community in nature, the group used creative writing to complement each session. Participants wrote their own poem to sit with the completed works.
Sarah Ruttle said of the project, ‘This experimental project brought together a unique sharing of participant skills, old and new. The participants created pieces collaboratively, each step was a conversation, each new piece of felt laid, each colour chosen, and each composition made were considered carefully with each voice contributing to the final and beautiful outcomes.’
Sarah intstalled the final artworks, a number of new textile wall hangings, in both Schull Community Hospital and Bantry General Hospital, St. Joseph’s Unit.
Timeframe
September 2024 to January 2025
This project was supported by Arts for Health Partnership Programme, West Cork.