School of Design Textile Design
Claire Fowler
BA (Hons) Textiles Design specialising in weave
A determined career changer from a surveyor to a weaver. I’m driven to unleash my creative potential in the world of textiles. Having found a love for weave due to its magical nature of pattern formation, the meditative rhythm of warping and weaving, and the endless possibilities that come with each new challenge.
My goal is to become an expert weaver. I’m enthralled by the way weaving allows me to explore texture, rhythm, colour, and form within a process-based art form. I’m motivated by the journey of learning the fundamentals, understanding the ‘why’ behind techniques, and ultimately creating beautiful, handcrafted pieces.
Daily inspiration flows from my surroundings – the built and natural world, geometric patterns, the rhythm of cycling, and the power of bold colours. I’m eager to dive in, learn, and create beautiful textiles.
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The Simplicity of Cycling
The cadence of the pedals whilst cycling, feeds never ending and varied inspiration. Combining the sleek geometry of bicycle design mirrored by the organic curves of the natural world. It is from these expeditions that my research takes root, drawing life from the changing of gears, in bustling cafes, the crisp pages of cycling journals, and the energy from local events – from the UCI championships flowing through Glasgow’s streets and the vibrant hum of cycle shows.
With sustainability and experimentation an important aspect to me, I’ve ventured beyond the confines of traditional yarns. Spent inner tubes find new purpose alongside discarded trainer laces, cable and elastic. These unlikely companions weave a tale alongside the conventional yarns, organic where possible and only using natural dye where required, all of which have fed into my colour palette. Transforming these yarns and creating designs into fabric for interior settings.
The Simplicity of Cycling Part II
My 20-credit project continues to draw inspiration from the concept of cycling. The jacquard loom became my tool to explore the abstract essence of my research alongside repeat pattern of uneven shapes and magnified geometric forms. I embraced the use of finer, traditional yarns incorporating donated materials wherever possible which largely dictated the colour palette. I have experimented with adapting patterns designed for finer yarns and replacing with thicker ones, observing how the pattern and fabric itself would distort. Furthermore, I’ve explored the subtle nuances of pattern by utilising only one or two weft colours.
