Weaving with Wire

One thing i wanted to explore was incorporating wire into the weaves to give them structure and enable me to manipulate them once they were off the loom. A lot of my research imagery has movement and shape so i felt making my weaves more 3D would express this well.

 (Sketch book page, pen)

(yarn wrap- colour ideas)

(blackpool pleasure beach)

I tried different ways of adding wire to the weft; these two outcomes are the most successful i think. Handling and manipulating the weaves has also helped me to think about what they might become and their context.

Below is a loom-woven basket with wire warp by Jeanette Ahlgren. I am inspired by what Jeanette has done with sculptural weaving here and the way the colour and pattern has remained strong and complentary to the form. My work is on a much smaller scale than this but has similar qualities, i would like to take these into my final outcome(s).

(Artist webpage- http://mobilia-gallery.com/artists/jahlgren/)

I have also been experimenting on a homemade basic loom with a wire warp.

                                    

                        

It has quite a rough finish as the copper wire is difficult to handle but creates a more flexible weave. I used strips of plastic bag as the colours fit well with my theme and i like the self-made pattern that the stripes create. I think this technique needs a bit more refinement but would intergrate well into my project, perhaps combined with embroidery.