Beverly Ayling-Smith
, 2022
Bedsheet fabric, paint, linen, lead wire 38.5cm x 31cm x 4cm
Beverly Ayling-Smith
, 2022
bedsheet fabric, paint, thread 38cm x 19cm
Beverly Ayling-Smith
, 2022
Pillowcase, thread, paint 74cm x 45cm
Dreams is made from one half of an antique pillowcase showing the flap where the pillow goes in. It has 7 lines of vertical (counted thread) stitching. I often use the number 7 in my work as some years ago 7 people I knew died in a short space of time and this is my way of holding their memory and honouring them in my work. This work explored ideas of passion, dreams and nightmares, with the red and grey/black crossing, stitched silk threads acting as metaphor for the complexity of what happens when we sleep.
Beverly Ayling-Smith
, 2021
Pillowcase, thread, paint, wax, lead 93cm x 75cm
Created from inherited pillowcase the monogrammed fabric marks the history of the family
Beverly Ayling-Smith
, 2020
Calico, ink, paint, thread, lead 34cm x 23cm
Made during the first pandemic lockdown this work reflect on the daily emotional struggle of living with the imposed restrictions
Beverly Ayling-Smith
, 2020
Bedsheet, paint, thread, wax 168cm x 45cm
Beverly Ayling-Smith
, 2010
Tissue paper, calico, paint, thread 85cm x 85cm
The structure of this piece is based on the 'kesa' or Buddhist robe. The Childs dress in the piece has text from Shakespeare's King John, printed underneath beginning 'Grief fills up the room of my absent child'
Beverly Ayling-Smith
, 2017
Pillowcases, paint, nails, ash, thread 53cm (h) x 152cm (w)
This work reflects on the intense emotions experienced when in contact with bed linens. These two pillowcases have been torn and mended. They bear witness to passions spent before sleep and dreams forgotten on waking. Although we endlessly strive to clean and launder them, they remain keepers of our memories, dreams and tears.