ARTIST OF THE MONTH
The textile artist’s ‘fabric paintings’ are crafted from a mix of vintage fragments collected over the years
After training at West Surrey College of Art, Mary Norden worked in textiles for many years. Renowned for her bold use of colour and pattern, she was commissioned by the likes of Yves St Laurent, Mary Quant and Liberty, before moving into the world of interiors, where she worked as a stylist, art director and writer for various publications – including our sister brand, Homes & Gardens. She now works as a full-time artist in Shropshire and London.
Have you always been creative?
Yes, I was always encouraged from an early age. Not just to draw and paint, but to make things from almost nothing – recycling and upcycling were the norm in my family. I’m also dyslexic, so creating artwork became my language.
Talk us through the creative process.
A new picture always starts with a single piece of vintage fabric; this is where the story begins. It might be the tiniest cotton fragment or a strip of old linen. I then gather other fabrics that complement the piece, and from here the narrative unfolds into either a landscape or still-life. I love the spontaneity of playing with fabric, creating shapes and adding colours, just as one would mix paints. Sometimes I like to push the narrative in a different direction by manipulating the cloth with dyes, paint or bleach.
Why work with fabric?
Whether printed, woven, plain or even threadbare, vintage fabrics all come with a story. I
