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Kathleen Murphy

@theowltheharethehuman

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Maker. Tutor. HCA MA allumni.
Constructing tales with needle, thread & the discarded. At home in the woods.
+ Press & digital content at Tinsmiths

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On each occasion that a fresh tribe of Silva Populi venture forth for new adventures in the human world, they take a long walk to fill their senses with the sights, smells, sounds and textures of the wooded landscape before they leave.
🌿💚🌿💚🌿

#silvapopuli #talesfromthewoods #handembroideredsculpture #unittwelve taken in The Woods by @theowltheharethehuman

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3 months ago

It may come as a surprise to some that, unlike many makers who work with textiles, I don't actually have metres and metres of fabric stashed away. What I do have are bags and boxes of small cloth scraps which have had a previous life and are often not much use to anyone else. These embroidered sleeves were created from such a tiny scrap - a piece I've had for many years just waiting for the right opportunity to be of use 🪡🧵
#handembroidered #reuserepurpose #imagination by @theowltheharethehuman

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a month ago

Pah-ping! Encouraged by the Silva Populi in the film (a former work in progress piece) I dared to show my fizzogg as part of @find.amaker week, a little while ago. It's a chance for people to find out a little more about the makers who are members of this super community, which has Sarah James #thecapitalofcraft at the helm. Here goes...
Meet the Maker. I'm Kathleen ( the Human in the title). I work predominantly in 3D, 'sculpting' using needle, thread and found materials. My pieces usually have a story attached to them and are inspired by an interest in folk culture, fairytales and a fascination with the wooded landscape - I'm curious about its ability to both soothe and unsettle in equal measure. Some of my pieces, such as masks or puppets, are commissioned for specific use in performance by theatre companies. I like the challenge of making pieces which are going to come alive, the processes and mechanics of which require a different approach to withstand continued handling.

In addition to my making practice, on occasion I run an artist challenge project under the banner A Group Gathering.
I also teach creative handstitch and have previously contributed to the creative timetable at @newbreweryarts in Cirencester.

#fam #findamakerweek #findamaker #amakerslife
#inspire #needleandthread #theowltheharethehuman #ukmaker #needlesmith #fabricsculptor #embroidery #handembroider #stitch #buylessbuybetterbuyhandmade by @theowltheharethehuman

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3 years ago

Such joyful pinks! The Autumn sun sits lower in the sky casting an interesting light and making some colours glow more vividly... 🍂🌸💕 by @theowltheharethehuman

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2 days ago

Autumn bounty on this morning's walk.

I've no doubt that the Silva Populi will be gathering a few of these treasures later 🍄🍄‍🟫🍂 by @theowltheharethehuman

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a month ago

Each Silva Populi which goes forth into the world will now be accompanied by handsome letterpress certificate of authenticity.
A huge thanks to Rebecca @ledbury_letterpress for typesetting the certificate and Martin @tilley_printing for printing them on the clackety-clack Heidelberg 🫟❤️🫟

I keep a record of each Silva Populi I make, so anyone who has previously rehomed an SP that would like their figure to have one of these certificates, please get in touch (DM). by @theowltheharethehuman

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a month ago

Inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland story, 'And Curiouser' is @studiocennen's latest exhibition. A wonderful mix of paint, pottery and sculpture - you'll also find a few Silva Populi peeping out from behind the exhibits. Including Ursil, seen here, who carries a key to unlock more stories from the woods. But first, the right key knot in the right tree must be found... 🗝️🪵🌿
Studio Cennen is open every Saturday, or on other days of the week make an appointment to have your own personal tour around the show - such a treat!
#handcrafted # textilesculpture #handembroidered #silvapopuli taken in Studio Cennen by @theowltheharethehuman

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a month ago

There is still time to catch the latest exhibition @unittwelve in Stafford. Imaginarium is a mixed media exhibition full of joy. Featuring, amongst others, the work of @baxenburg and @treefalldesign - and yours truly.
Exhibition ends on Saturday 29th August.

#silvapopuli #handembroidered #unittwelvegallery by @theowltheharethehuman

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2 months ago

The Silva Populi masks are in fact bespoke made to suit the little critter and the animal spirit or feeling they wish to channel.
As you can see they are not stitched onto the SP so they are free to take them off if they choose. Although they ALWAYS keep them on when working.
This particular SP is called Vulpini and can be found at Unit Twelve gallery's Imaginarium exhibition. You still have until 29th August to go & visit this wonderful show!
@unittwelve #imaginarium #bespokemask #silvapopuli by @theowltheharethehuman

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2 months ago

Early this morning I made a rare find - a tiny Silva Populi mask dropped in the woods. The vibrant colours gem-like against the ivy greens and the buff turkey tails.
I wonder if they dropped it while putting word blossom back in the trees, or perhaps they got too hot and took it off to rest? Or perhaps they were on a quest to find their pals who have been brave and ventured to @unittwelve to take part in the current Imaginarium exhibition, looking for new homes...

Imaginarium at Unit Twelve Gallery, Bath Lane, Nixon, Stafford. Runs until 29th August.

#silvapopuli #handstitched #textilesculpture by @theowltheharethehuman

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3 months ago

Can you see them? The shy Silva Populi are extremely skilled in keeping hidden from view, despite their flamboyant headdresses and masks...

Summer walks in wildflower meadows.
#silvapopuli
#talesfromthewoods by @theowltheharethehuman

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4 months ago

Early morning walks, hoping for a sighting of the shy Silva Populi... 🌿💚🌿💚🌿

Foxglove season🩷@youyewandewe by @theowltheharethehuman

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4 months ago