Intentions - Two

This week my focus has been on creating my warp and putting it on the loom, as well as developing my designs and experimenting with the layout; I've realised that I want my final collection pieces to have a random composition, yet a perfect structure. I think this will give the balance between showing the true traditional and tribal side of African art, yet still have a contemporary edge, which is important for my Future Past brief. Even though I'm attempting to create a unique and fresh body of work, I'm still hoping to show the influences from the historical collections I've worked from. 
Researching into dip-dye has led me to look at Ikat. Initially I thought that dying some of my yarns may be a possibility and a way of adding to my work, however I have since decided to stick to just blocks of colour and try to portray a 'faded' effect in another way. From the group tutorial, it was suggested that I look at Ptolemy Mann and Mary Restieaux and these have both been a massive inspiration to me. Although they both use a method of dying within their work, the area that I'm choosing to focus on is the structure and geometric elements of their work. Once I have used Scotweave more, so my understanding of it is better, I'm planning on creating a piece which uses my motifs, but also creates an effect that takes my research on Ikat and dip-dying, into account. 

I've also further researched into African symbols again, trying to discover any particular shapes that have tribal meanings or are family related. I came across a selection of Adinkra symbols, representing concepts or aphorisms, and I think this is another exciting addition to my project. It is a great way for me to continue developing my drawings, whilst also drawing in the links with tradition and cells, yet in an abstract form. 

I'm currently enjoying pulling all of my ideas and concepts together, and beginning to finalise them. I've been working with my colour palettes without using the yarns, and it's enabled me to visualise how my weaves can be created, which excites me! I've threaded up my loom on a point draft, which means that any designs I  produce, will be reflected within the weave. It's taking me a long time to get my head around the Scotweave process, however drawing my ideas out on graph paper first is helping a lot. Also, the ability to reflect my patterns means I have more space to work with and large motifs will be created, which is perfect!