Hazel Ryder

Working with textiles or paper gives me an opportunity to express myself in a way I couldn’t otherwise. Over the years, I have found that it is the act of making, rather than the finished piece, which is often more important to me.
 
Each piece tells a personal story: they are part of me. I make them for no-one other than myself, but when they are exhibited, I hope that they will engage the viewer not only in a private conversation with me, the maker, but with themself as viewer.
 
Using my own fabrics, my work is defined by mark and line, colour and the texture dense stitching creates.
 
My current work is based on a collection of letters written by my maternal Grandma over an eight-year period.  They are a time capsule of that era and are full of personal observations – not just about friends and family, but also her neighbours, together with the state of the country and life itself during the 1970s and 80s.
 
Alongside making I also teach stitch, dyeing and surface design skills to all levels from beginner upwards.​

Dear Lass Fragments

Dear Lass on the Studio table

Dear Lass detail

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