MARIANNE MOHANDES

Artist Statement

My interest in textiles began when as a child, I spent many hours making clothes for my dolls.  This naturally progressed to making my own clothes and once married, furnishings for my home. I made my first quilt in 1983, which was constructed from hexagon shapes over paper; a style which was popular at that time.
 
I learnt to make quilts properly when residing in America and it was there that my interest in textiles grew.  I continued to make mainly hand made quilts for some years, but my passion really took off when I discovered The National Patchwork Championships in 1989, when I returned to live in the UK.
 
I began to make quilts to exhibit from this point onwards, and was awarded some prizes, including first machine embroidery with “Tree Fern” at Malvern in 2001, first advanced and first appliqué with “Passion Flower Frenzy” at The National Patchwork Championship in 2003 and first Spring Festival Challenge with “Silicon Chip” at The National Patchwork Championships in 2004.

It was during this time that I realised that I enjoyed making heavily embellished quilts and enrolled in some City and Guilds courses, to learn some new techniques, completing the Certificate in 2005 and the Diploma in 2007.  I am continuing my studies now, taking a master class at Missenden Abbey with Janet Edmonds.

In 2000, I was one of the founder members of the Market Square Quilters group in Newbury, which has grown and flourished, holding various positions over the years.  I am also an active member of The Newbury Embroiderers Guild.

For the past two years my husband and I have been renovating an old barn on our property to make a studio where I can develop my textiles further and also hold workshops for like minded people.

My current work is inspired by Highwood Farm, my home. I am exploring the natural and man-made elements of the place, and the emotional journey I am taking throughout its renovation. I am also looking at the spiritual atmosphere of the place, as it is old and has its own history and a future beyond us. We are just its caretakers for a while.