Textiles lecturer Highly Commended at Wildlife Artist of the Year

Associate Lecturer on Textile Design, Fiona Sperryn was awarded Highly Commended at the Wildlife Artist of the Year 2020 by the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation. We spoke to Fiona her work, her inspirations and how it felt to receive the award.

Constantly inspired by her environment, immediate or global, Fiona aims to celebrate incredible endangered creatures and their habitat. Her Wildlife Artist of the Year entry, Orangutan, Adult, Pongo Pygmaeus, was no different. On being shortlisted and receiving Highly Commended, Fiona says "I had butterflies of excitement at the news and was thrilled to achieve recognition for a woven piece in this fine art competition!"

What was your inspiration behind the work and how was it created?

I started with photographs I had taken at an orangutan sanctuary in the steamy forests of Malaysian Borneo.
With a hands-on approach throughout the creative process, I translated my original drawings into hand-woven digital tapestry artwork on a jacquard loom in my studio in Cornwall. In a process akin to painting with yarn, each of the four shuttles I threw for this piece held uniquely textured, conscientiously selected natural fibres – linen, bamboo, merino wool and hemp. Off the loom, the piece was carefully cut and hand-finished to create the texture reminiscent of orangutan fur.

How important is the environment and sustainability in your practice?

I am very influenced and fascinated by my environment, from the immediate textures around me to the plight of endangered species across the globe. These details and interconnections form the core of my inspiration both visually and motivationally.