Guest post by Ruby Wilson
This year we saw women go from strength to strength. It is estimated that worldwide, 5 million people took part in the 2017 Women’s March, advocating equal rights for all – and this moment in culture is intrinsic to London based textile artist Emma Franks. She creates intricate textile portraits of women, each portrait focussed on conveying the empowerment and beauty of women.
Emma’s journey to textiles began as she was shortening a pair of trousers, when she found herself stitching the outline of a woman. She continued to give the woman a face, hair and fabric clothing to create an individual outfit of fabric. As a child, Emma would make paper dolls and dress them in clothes. Her grandfather was also a tailor so for her, textile art is very nostalgic.
Strongly inspired by art and culture, Emma also draws inspiration from her female friends who she praises as ‘clever, unique and strong minded’. These are qualities we coincidently see in the women she creates though textiles. Her favourite part of the process is dressing her figures. She appreciates the way old fabric can be made into something new, and it is clear that Emma values the ability she has to forge a personality for the women in her art – dressing, styling and portraying them as she wishes.
Emma explains that she is 'not a great self promoter,' but with women now standing stronger than ever before, Emma is just as empowered as the women she creates.
Emma Franks will be taking part in the Selvedge Christmas Fair this weekend, Saturday 2 December. To find out more about the event and to book your ticket, click here.
To receive 2 for 1 advance tickets, use code SVF17 at the checkout.