PUSH Stitchery: 30 Artists Explore the Boundaries of Stitched Art

by Jamie Chalmers

Announcing PUSH, a new series devoted to indie-crafters and artists pushing the boundaries of traditional crafting mediums!


Curated by Jamie Chalmers--aka Mr. X Stitch, a leading figure in the “new embroidery movement”--PUSH Stitchery profiles the cutting-edge creative work of 30 top stitching artists from around the world. Each designer is showcased with six to eight pages of gallery-style imagery. A fascinating question-and-answer section, along with bios, make this innovative and inspirational book a must-have for anyone interested in blurring the lines between craft and art. 

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Crafts

176 pages, Hardcover

First published September 6, 2011

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gorgeous showcase of stitched artwork! The variety of featured fiber arts is amazing:







The book serves as both an inspiration, AND a reminder that I've pretty much squandered any talents I might have once had.

[Robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars // Thirty artists are featured within these pages; each artist is allotted four or six pages, along with a short introduction / Q&A. Artists whose featured work I enjoyed the most include:

- Cayce Zavaglia (USA), photorealist wool embroidered portraits
- Alicia Ross (USA), contemporary cross stitch
- Luke Haynes (USA), quilting
- Peter Crawley (UK), stitched line on watercolor paper
- Gillian Bates (UK), applique with machine embroidery and reclaimed fabric
- Charlene Mullen (UK), blackwork embroidery
- Meagan Ileana (USA), embroidery
- Donna Sharrett (USA), stitched collage

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fascinating collection of 30 artists working in the medium of embroidery. Extraordinary and remarkable work, and extremely different. Very interesting book. Highly recommended.

[JayeL]

I have to admit that I like pretty, cheerful art. I also like pushing the boundaries, which isn't always pretty. This book make stitchery (do they call it that anymore??) cool, but not always pretty.

This book arrived on my doorstep from Lark (Hey! Thanks, Lark!) at an interesting time, because I was stitching madly on my Kissy Fish project. Compared to the work in this book, my work is extremely simple.

This book has a lot of intimate imagery. There are images of people in bed together, faces stare out at you imploringly from the pages,nakedness, roadkill and the jostling crowds of people that make up the daily life of those of who take public transportation. there are flaming eye sockets (pg.124), plenty of skulls, and sex. One of the artists says "The things that interest me are shock, sex, violence, love, laughter, absurdity, beauty, and contrasts" (pg.116). These pieces are more like paintings than the kind of embroidery to which I am accustomed.

Some of my favorite pieces are the stamps (pg.46-47, the image of the carafe and cup (pg.27), London Calling Paris (pg.104) and Driving (pg.158). The pieces and the imagery are the stars of this book. The text was minimal, both in amount and layout. It was not the star of the show and that allowed me to immerse myself in the images.

Vintage linens are used in various pieces. Pieces are also mixed with non-textile elements including china and metal. All different types of stitching are used as well: machine, hand, variety of threads and stitches, etc.

I think of embroidery and stitchery as crafts where women dominate. There are a large number of men represented in this book.

The photography is really good in this book. I was able to see the detail of the stitching in most of the pieces.

Lark is really putting themselves out there by producing catalogs of different types of crafts. I really appreciate the risk they are taking and suggest that you take a look at this book and support their efforts.

[Kerfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The quality of work here is much higher than that featured in "Indie Craft", and I'm glad I looked closely through the other book first, or my complaints about the art here would have been much louder.

The pieces here are pretty much all well-designed and well-executed; yet somehow a lot of it seems generic and stale to me. In this over-connected world, everyone rides the same trends, safe in a cocoon of mutual admiration and support. Only a few of these artists seem to have a compelling and individual story to tell, an urge to create that is stronger than the urge to succeed. Although overall the work is superior, it still falls into the same ruts. Photo, text, recycle, "subersive", "non-traditional" use of materials and techniques, etc, etc. A lot of it tries too hard. It's nice, but lacks emotional resonance for me.

But enough of my criticism. This is a thoughtful collection with much to admire. The best of "Indie Craft" is here and I want to especially single out also Tilleke Schwarz, Charlene Mullen, Aya Kakeda, Anna Torma, Donna Sharrett, and Jimmy McBride for their fresh and inspiring visions.

[Nonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book and added it to my collection of embroidery books. I love finding novel stitches I have never seen before and trying them out. I have a collection of about 12 books going back to 1965. I love European and Asian stitchery and hope of find something I have not seen before.


Nonnie


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[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the iamges in this book and the art displayed were AMAZING and inspirational. I thought a lot of the artist's and their answers to the questioning were a bit airy fairy and obvious. I thought surely they could have some greater meaning or reason for their work than that in a lot of cases. But the art is great and gives me so many ideas!

I would definately say for any one interested in art particularly embroidery to give it a bit of a look.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The editors went all out to find artists who push the boundaries of embroidery. One makes simpy cross-stitched design on rusted metal including objects like car doors; another runs thread through hunks of slate. Others are more conventional, using cloth, but still innovative and inspiring.

[Ann Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

i had high expectations for this book, and while i like several of the artists, i find most of it not really pushing the boundaries.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book. Had to go through it slowly, only because there was so much to digest in the photos. This will be one I pull out and go through many times over.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible catalogue of artists who are working with embroidery and quilting.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Great examples of contemporary artist working with fiber arts.