Experiments with thread


First I used layered of thread to just glue onto the page, I used colours that had quite dark and cool tones and left the background white, making the thread the center of the foreground. I used some tracing paper to layer onto to create some shadowed lines and threaded the thread through the tracing paper also. I used varying thicknesses of thread in order to add some variety but by using similar colours it doesn't look to busy or clash.






Next I tried to use embroidery thread onto fabric to write 'Rangoon Falls' I found this rather tricky as I've not done much hand stitching before but I tried. It took be about an hour to stitch just those 12 letter, which is a long time. I think that could be lessened by more practice. Once I'd finished that I burnt the edges to create a more distressed look, to mimic what happened in 1942, when they had to burnt Rangoon down in order to prevent it falling into the enemies hands. I then added in into a composition of more thread, of similar dark cool toned thread and embroidery thread to match the negative emotions surrounding the event my journey is based upon. I also added some charcoal in placed to symbolize burnt rubble. 

Another major source I have relating to my journey is maps, so I decided to draw a map and incorporate some thread into it, along with a part of the abstract piece I created a few weeks earlier, to represent the jungle, and the map emerging from it.  The thread adds more fluidness to the map and create more movement overall.



Next I decided to continue by just gluing thread onto the page but I tried to use some text that related to my journey, I decided to take an extract from a newspaper article from 1942, which reads "Rangoon falls" I changed it to Rangoon has fallen to make it longer in order to try this technique more. I added some brown paper painted with emulsion around the edges to fill space and also to create a more aged feel, like newspaper thats been lost in rubble of now demolished buildings.

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