Natasha Burgess

My practice focuses on the environmental destruction caused by the textile industry. Through my research, I came across the devastating reality of the damage to the textile industry as the 2nd highest industry contributing to global water pollution. Due to the prominence of environmental issues in my work, it was important to me to make my practice as sustainable as possible. I sourced the fabrics from unwanted scraps from charity shops and cut the items into strips to use as makeshift threads for weaving. The frame was created from scrap wood from skips and a hula-hoop found in a charity shop.

Creating sustainable art can be difficult when trying to source specific resources. Through this project, I have developed greater patience and dedication to standing behind my ideas and ideals. I have become adaptable due to the unpredictability of recycling resources and learned not to be hindered by difficulties but inspired by them. Through creating my own loom out of an unwanted canvas frame and discarded wool, I have collected materials that can be reused for multiple purposes and learned the skills that I can apply to all sorts of unconventional materials. Collecting, prepping, and weaving the materials has been time-consuming but incredibly rewarding, further enhancing my rigorous work ethic.