A Kwelera multi- media artist who “draws with thread” has won a prestigious international art award with an enchanting image of her tattoo-embellished son.
Kathryn Harmer Fox, who works from a sunny studio in her seaside home, was one of just 43 entrants whose work was accepted for judging in the Carrefour Européen du Patchwork 2015 (European Patchwork Meeting) in France.
“It was great to be accepted into the competition and I am stoked to have won.
“I’m over the moon,” said Harmer Fox, who won à3000 (about R47000).
Her A Life Lived in Ink is made of fabric and thread with the outline drawn in felt-tip pen. And, although Harmer Fox was unable to travel to France for the award ceremony last Wednesday, her piece will now travel the world for two years before being returned to her.
“It will also be featured in a beautiful catalogue.
“This is a very prestigious thing to have won in the fibre art world, and is very good for my career.
“I know I am good at fibre art, but I was up against incredibly talented fibre artists from all over the world,” she said. The theme for this year’s competition was “Reflections” and Harmer Fox’s striking piece shows her son Daniel Lotz, a Cape Town tattoo artist, gazing at his unadorned reflection.
“Daniel is covered in tattoos from head to toe and they represent all the experiences he has had in his life.
“The work shows him looking at his un-tattooed self and the background shows all the experiences that are yet to happen to him – his life still to come,” explained Harmer Fox.
She gives drawing classes and also teaches classes in how to use a sewing machine as a creative tool, both nationally and internationally.
She worked on A Life Lived in Ink between 8am and 4pm every day for two weeks.
“I used koki pen on canvas, then “painted” it using little pieces of fabric which are sewn down and then on top of that I did free motioned machine embroidery, which is like drawing with thread.”
Harmer Fox is already an internationally renowned artist and her portrait of Nelson Mandela was bought by the University of Michigan museum.
“My Facebook page is like a virtual gallery for me and I sell a lot that way as well as from my Kwelera studio,” she said.
Deft hand wins mom top award
Kathryn Harmer Fox, who works from a sunny studio in her seaside home, was one of just 43 entrants whose work was accepted for judging in the Carrefour Européen du Patchwork 2015 (European Patchwork Meeting) in France.
“It was great to be accepted into the competition and I am stoked to have won.
“I’m over the moon,” said Harmer Fox, who won à3000 (about R47000).
Her A Life Lived in Ink is made of fabric and thread with the outline drawn in felt-tip pen. And, although Harmer Fox was unable to travel to France for the award ceremony last Wednesday, her piece will now travel the world for two years before being returned to her.
“It will also be featured in a beautiful catalogue.
“This is a very prestigious thing to have won in the fibre art world, and is very good for my career.
“I know I am good at fibre art, but I was up against incredibly talented fibre artists from all over the world,” she said. The theme for this year’s competition was “Reflections” and Harmer Fox’s striking piece shows her son Daniel Lotz, a Cape Town tattoo artist, gazing at his unadorned reflection.
“Daniel is covered in tattoos from head to toe and they represent all the experiences he has had in his life.
“The work shows him looking at his un-tattooed self and the background shows all the experiences that are yet to happen to him – his life still to come,” explained Harmer Fox.
She gives drawing classes and also teaches classes in how to use a sewing machine as a creative tool, both nationally and internationally.
She worked on A Life Lived in Ink between 8am and 4pm every day for two weeks.
“I used koki pen on canvas, then “painted” it using little pieces of fabric which are sewn down and then on top of that I did free motioned machine embroidery, which is like drawing with thread.”
Harmer Fox is already an internationally renowned artist and her portrait of Nelson Mandela was bought by the University of Michigan museum.
“My Facebook page is like a virtual gallery for me and I sell a lot that way as well as from my Kwelera studio,” she said.
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