52 Wendy Kirkwood Interview: The Bigger

from The Menteur 2021 - Art Rewired

Alexandre Ferrere: Unstable Stairway to

Interview with Wendy Kirkwood

‘I endeavour to capture and promote the beauty of nature in my own work and encourage others to do the same’

Wendy Kirkwood is a U.K based artist whose current work in mixed media and textiles is inspired by nature and the environment. Her collaborative project The Bigger Picture uses recycled materials in the form of used teabags and brings together each unique piece in a ‘tree of life’ design.

Q: Could you tell us how The Bigger Picture project began?

The Bigger Picture project came about towards the end of last year (2020). I had been considering a way to bring artists and creative people together through Instagram; on November 6th, I sent out an invitation via my Instagram page to any artist interested in taking part in The Bigger Picture collaboration. I asked for 36 artists to participate and, after receiving the replies, I posted to each artist a package containing instructions and a teabag. Each teabag had just one small part of a whole image drawn onto it; 36 smaller pieces making up the bigger picture, which I have yet to reveal!

Each artist was asked to use the teabag to produce a piece of art in any media of their choice (collage, paint, stitch, mixed media, et cetera), so long as they kept to the drawn lines on their teabag. Having completed their tiny artwork, they then posted it back to me in a prepared envelope that I’d also sent to them. There were 18 artists from around the UK, and 18 from other countries around the world, including the USA, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Argentina, Spain and Norway. Due to the pandemic, the idea of bringing people together through a collaboration project appealed to me. Whilst an online platform such as Instagram can be great for sharing ideas and images, I was also looking for a practical project where art was made by different people and brought together in a larger piece. Whilst many of us are unable to attend galleries, exhibitions and workshops, becoming involved in a group project like this could be a valuable way to both engage people, and give them an opportunity to work with others.

Due to the pandemic, the idea of bringing people together through a collaboration project appealed to me.

Q: What inspired you to use tea bags as your primary vehicle for the project?

I’ve often used teabags in my work. Whilst studying for my GNVQ (General National Vocational Qualification) in Art and Design after I had finished school, I first used dried teabags to make a large ‘quilt’. The use of materials which would otherwise be thrown away appeals to me too, as I endeavour to care for the environment as much as possible. The material is quite robust and has a lovely natural feel and colour to it. Teabags are also very easy and cheap to obtain, especially in these times when it’s more difficult to shop for materials.

Having used a lot of teabags in my work and having had a great reception to this from viewers of my work, teabags seemed the best choice for this project and whilst each teabag would be a unique tiny artwork, the material would be cohesive and bring a sense of unity once they were all joined together by stitching at the end.

Q: Have you worked on previous collaborative projects? If so, how did the virtual nature of The Bigger Picture alter your methodology, aims and expectations?

A few years ago, on my 40th birthday, I had made a large painting of a tree and everyone who came to the party decorated a leaf, which they stuck onto a branch of the tree. The bare branches were soon adorned with lots of colourful leaves! I still have this piece of work, and it reminds me of how a collaboration project can provide a lasting sense of community.

The Bigger Picture is the first collaboration project I have organized, other than the tree piece, with various artists around the world. As a result, there have been many aspects of bringing this project together which have challenged me. It’s been an amazing learning experience for me and something I’d like to do again in the near future if possible.

This collaboration project has been a joy to oversee. Using Instagram as the main vehicle for communication with those participating, I’ve made many new friendships. The pandemic has meant that many creative people around the world have been unable to do what they used to do. However, sharing ideas online and using this as a platform to grow as a virtual community has been a delight to see. I hope that it has enabled many artists living all over the world to feel connected through their art, and in producing a small artwork that makes up the larger picture, they are part of a thriving artistic global community.

Q: Inspired, rather than hampered by the restrictions of Covid, what were some unexpected delights that arose from organizing this project?

Many participants returned their teabag artwork to me along with a note, letter or small gift as a way of saying thank you to me for organising the project. These tokens of appreciation and the heartfelt messages have continued to inspire me; I appreciate that whilst we may be physically isolated from each other just now, we are still able to reach out, collaborate and grow our creative communities. Bringing people together through art has been such a pleasure and knowing that this project has helped people to feel part of something is just amazing.

Q: What do you hope that The Bigger Picture has achieved?

I hope that it has enabled many artists living all over the world to feel connected through their art, and in producing a small artwork that makes up the larger picture, they are part of a thriving artistic global community.