Lesley Bright
Lesley Bright is a Brisbane based textile artist renowned for her whimsical “chaotic” textile sculptures and mixed media works. She predominantly uses vintage and second-hand fabric, buttons and beads as well as remnants she has collected from around the globe.
Every single creation from her studio is hand cut and hand stitched without the use of sewing machines. This meticulous, slow-craft process gives each character it’s distinct, organic personality and ensures that no two pieces are identical.
You will find this work contains intricate stitched details. Features like facial expressions and feathers and clothes are hand embroidered and patched.
The works have a wire base but are stuffed to give them a warm textile feel.
This work is completely self-taught through years of personal experimentation rather than formal art school training. This independent path has allowed her to bypass traditional crafting rules and resulted in distinctly original works.
ARTIST STATEMENT
“I create bold, colourful textile sculptures of birds and other whimsical creatures from vintage and upcycled fabrics, yarns, beads and threads. Each creation is a depiction of how I connect with the world.
My sculptures want to chat with you and discover where you are from. I have translated the birds into fun and intensely detailed caricatures of themselves. Each one has their own back story which emerges as they go from being a pile of fabric and thread to being the beautiful almost alive form. These sculptures are all hand stitched and original. Come closer so we can hear what you are saying.”
