Cecilia Charlton
Stitch Space, 2022
Vinyl, hand-embroidered wool thread and pencil on paper
Same Day Emergency Care Unit, Newham Hospital
Cecilia Charlton was commissioned to create an artwork which runs throughout the Same Day Emergency Care Department at Newham Hospital. The artist creates highly patterned, multi-coloured textile works that explore craft and folk art. For this project, she took inspiration from Bargello needlepoint, a technique thought to have originated in Hungary during the 15th century, which typically takes the form of thick, straight stitches in geometric or zig-zag motif.
Translating these shapes into vinyl allowed the artist to extend her practice outside of a traditional fabric canvas, and to create an immersive installation. It wraps around the door frames, windows, and waiting areas, to accompany patients as they move around the Same Day Emergency Care unit.
Charlton has also created a series of works on paper. Incorporating hand-embroidered elements, these artworks draw on the undulating patterns found in the vinyl. Using wool thread, they reference handicraft and household materials, bringing a sense of calm, familiarity and domesticity to the space.
Cecilia Charlton (b. 1985) is a London-based American artist. She received an MA in Painting from the Royal College of Art in 2018. She has exhibited in the UK and internationally; her recent exhibitions include: Jerwood Art Fund Makers Open, Jerwood Space, London, 2021; Mammoth Loop, SPACE Ilford, 2021 (solo); Aurora, Candida Stevens Gallery, 2020 (solo); and Parade, curated by Kris Day, Broadway Gallery, UK, 2019.
Photography ©Owen Richards
