Crafts CouncilDirectoryElena SparkeTextile artistFarnham, EnglandTextilesBookbindingLeatherworkingEmbroideryMixed mediaWebsiteE-mailInstagramTwitterAboutInfoSustainabilityMy work examines transversal points between art and language using semantic potential of cloth, and book form as an idea. Global cultural connection is perpetuated through heritage natural dyeing, timeless value of the handcrafted. Linguistic inquiry through textile medium offers tactile alphabets reflecting complexity of humanness and nature. Emotionally invested, whimsical book sculptures invite the viewer to reflect on universal questions of identity, memory, imperishability of culture, hope.Focus:Textile art, Natural Dyeing, Research, Book arts, Verbo-visual communicationCV:Download documentCommissions:Available for commissionsSustainability is at the core of practice and I am constantly looking for ways to improve. I only use natural dyes and fibres, increasingly growing my own, including historical indigo, madder, woad and weld. Mordanting is alum-free, using tannins and bioaccumulators instead. I often incorporate antique textiles giving new life to historical voices. Local and found materials are often used. I also make fish skin leather from food waste. My wardrobe is an experimental lab for textile endevours!AboutMy work examines transversal points between art and language using semantic potential of cloth, and book form as an idea. Global cultural connection is perpetuated through heritage natural dyeing, timeless value of the handcrafted. Linguistic inquiry through textile medium offers tactile alphabets reflecting complexity of humanness and nature. Emotionally invested, whimsical book sculptures invite the viewer to reflect on universal questions of identity, memory, imperishability of culture, hope.InfoFocus:Textile art, Natural Dyeing, Research, Book arts, Verbo-visual communicationCV:Download documentCommissions:Available for commissionsSustainabilitySustainability is at the core of practice and I am constantly looking for ways to improve. I only use natural dyes and fibres, increasingly growing my own, including historical indigo, madder, woad and weld. Mordanting is alum-free, using tannins and bioaccumulators instead. I often incorporate antique textiles giving new life to historical voices. Local and found materials are often used. I also make fish skin leather from food waste. My wardrobe is an experimental lab for textile endevours!WebsiteE-mailInstagramTwitterProject‘Tapestries of Time: Verdure Reimagined’ (2024), four narrative textile relief panelsProject'Deeper than Language' (2024), Two Textile Artist BooksProject'Insomnia' Wearable Art Cloth (2023)Project'The Last Book' and 'The Book of All' (2022/23). ProjectRose Perpetual (2022)ProjectArchaeologies Installation: 6 textile sculptures Sumi, Nabrosok, Terra, Aurum, Inle, Voices (2021)ProjectThe Book of Becoming (2020/2021) Assemblage of 6 textile book-sculptures: Roots, Fire Within, Manuscripts don’t Burn, Wonder, Tabula Rasa & Rosa Muse-Bookmark, Poesia.