University of Hertfordshire   2008/2009

Caren Garfen

My particular aim during the AA2A scheme was to do silkscreen printing with hand cut stencils and then overlay them with photographic silkscreen prints of my own hand drawn images; I had been approached by the Victoria & Albert museum to create a contemporary quilt for its prestigious Quilt Exhibition which will be held from 20th March-18th July 2010. I had time to do some experimental printing overlaying my images two or three times and was really pleased with the effect. I am now in the process of hand stitching all of my researched text on to the quilt.

A real bonus was that I had time to produce a second piece of work for an exhibition with the 62 Group of Textile Artists. This artwork entitled ‘The writing is on the wall’ is complete and will be on display at the Hub, Sleaford, Lincolnshire from 11th July-6th September 2009.

Being chosen for AA2A has been a very positive experience. Whilst I was in the process of doing the scheme I was asked by a Head of Department to give a talk to the second years’ on Professional Practice and both the students and I found the whole experience useful. I also wanted to be able to talk to those who had chosen textiles as their main course and it was a real bonus to be able to interact with students informally as I was really happy to discuss the whole process of my artwork from conception (via my sketchbooks) to completion.

I was fully supported by the University of Hertfordshire and in particular by Diane and Lisa, the two technicians in the Printing Workshop. I was also surrounded by creative people some of whom were in the final stages of their degrees and this created a very nice atmosphere.

Caren's AA2A story was selected for our digital publication 'Time and Space - Celebrating 10 years of AA2A schemes'. Click to open Time and Space