Heather Clarke

T e x t i l e A r t

I am a British Belgian artist making fabric pictures. Embroidering by hand and sewing machine, I use thread and discarded materials to build my images. I try to live and sew sustainably.

Many years ago I trained as a seamstress in London but did not enjoy the discipline. I preferred making trade union and political banners.

Now living in a flat in the iconic Brusilia building in Brussels, 1030 I started stitching again during the pandemic. Like so many, I needed to find balance, which I did through sewing and yoga.

"The needle is used to repair the damage. It’s a claim to forgiveness.”

Louise Bourgeois

Initially, my pictures attempted to capture the strange, upside-down world we were living in. Later I based my work on memories of family holidays to connect with my daughter, who lives in Brazil.

Gradually, as the world opened up my attention was drawn to the way local communities got together to initiate a street gardening projects.

My current practice explores themes of injustice, violence and squandering the earth’s resources. All my recent artworks have a strong ecological or feminist theme.

Exhibitions:

L'Estampille, 1000 Brussels
Hosting, Centrale for contemporary art, 1000 Brussels.
The Future Is Ours, Full Circle, 1050 Brussels;
Burn Baby Burn, Gallery Nostrum, Wavre;
Roots in the Community, YogaRoots, 1000 Brussels

Heather undertakes commissions email: heather.clarke23(at)outlook.com