My dear father sadly passed away a few months ago and in the process of grieving for him, looking at his cherished belongings, I felt more connected than ever to my family and their deeply personal legacy.

In finding a treasure trove of boxes, I stumbled upon my maternal Grandma’s handmade lace and embroidery. Some pieces I think may well have been Great Grandmother’s, I’m not sure. Grandma was a very special lady, born at the end of the 19th century. She lost her mother when she was very young and went to live with her older sister before going into service. She met my Grandfather during the First World War and they were soon engaged. Like so many couples at that time, they were hindered by the financial burdens of the period and weren’t able to marry until 1929.

She had lost many dear relatives on the Western Front and I know how important home was to her. She loved nothing more than a line of bright white washing; for her it symbolised the great fortune she enjoyed in bringing up a young family, whilst so many of her friends wouldn’t have been so lucky. She always had a stitching project on the go and these beautiful examples, together with more my dear cousin as since found, form a deep and very fond memory for me. These pieces have been used, cherished and repaired and would have made her home uniquely personal to her. Table runners, lace doilies, dressing table sets and armchair covers were commonplace in many homes of course and Grandma would have been incredibly humble about them. Knitting, crochet, embroidery, lace were threads that wove their way throughout her long life and I loved it when she stayed with us when I was a child. I would come home from school and she would have knitted a complete outfit for my favourite doll. Amazing!

I set about trying to depict the fragility and beauty of this legacy of heirlooms in my printmaking. I love their creases, repairs, breaks and tears; each holding a part of her story. The concentric patterns of loops and knots are perfect for carving, using the thinnest of tools and extreme patience. Each 8 x 8 inch print has taken between 3- 5 days solid carving and I loved every moment. I have several more to explore!