The Commonwealth Games 2010

I was delighted to be awarded the position of Director of Costumes for the Commonwealth Games Handover Ceremony in Delhi, October 2010. I was the unanimous choice of the committee and was officially appointed in December 2009. I am dressing 346 cast members from all over Scotland, of which 2 cast members will be wearing bespoke Jilli Blackwood costumes. I worked on a writing project entitled ‘Hopes & Dreams’ with schools across Glasgow , I then used their words and embroidered them into the very fabric of the performance. I will be able to go into more detail after the event has taken place on 14th October 2010 as the project is top secret until then!

Collect at The Saatchi Gallery

May 2010, I was selected by Craftscotland to exhibit work from my Art to Wear collection at the international applied art fair ‘Collect’ held at ‘The Saatchi Gallery’, London. I exhibited two works ‘The Fabric of my Life’, a kimono coat, and ‘Tilda’ a kilted skirt commissioned by the National Museums of Scotland. ‘The Fabric of My Life’ is an accumulation of 25 years work. Creating ‘The Fabric of My Life’ was an extremely significant process, which allowed me the time to reflect on many aspects of my career. The textile pieces which make up this work come from the many commissions and experiences I have had, to create a record of my life’s journey; emotionally and personally; embodying the enormous energy and vitality I have for this life.

‘Meet Your Maker’

January 2010 saw the launch of the ‘Meet Your Maker’ exhibition at the National Museums of Scotland, Edinburgh, touring to Timespan in Helmsdale in May 2010. This was the brainchild of Craftscotland. Makers from craft disciplines worked in the museum for the public to view at first hand our creative process. I created a kilted skirt entitled ‘Tilda’, made from 21 metres of hand dyed silk. My source of inspiration was the actress Tilda Swinton and Mark Rothko’s Seagram collection of paintings, painted for the Seagram Restaurant in New York. Red in all its guises formed the jumping off point for this piece of ‘Art to Wear’. Working in the public eye was a incredible experience. My days in the museum were spent interacting with people from all walks of life.

‘Made in Scotland’ for STV

I began filming ‘Made in Scotland in February 2009. I was commissioned by John Michie to design the Michie tartan. This was another remarkable experience, working alongside John and the film crew, from the initial conversations and ending in the completion of his kilt which he wore to ‘The Gathering’ in Edinburgh’ July 2009. Following on from this work, I was commissioned to create two ’Art to Wear’ Kilts for high profile media people. For more images, see the Art to Wear gallery

Teaching

In October 2009 I was involved with The Glasgow Inspiration Festival for the second time. I was asked by ‘Glasgow Life’ to work with a Primary School in Springburn on a project called ‘Kiltwrap’. The students looked at textiles from various countries around the world and amalgamated the different colours and textures of fabrics bringing to this project their own imagination which compounded in a fantastic display of 27 kilts. This is an extremely rewarding project for both myself and the pupils. I thoroughly enjoy passing on knowledge, and the witnessing of confidence gained by the students through the art skills process. I am looking forward to beginning another project for ‘Glasgow Life’ entitled ‘The Glasgow Union Commonwealth Games Flag’ with another primary school in Glasgow in October 2010.