Soft Sculpture: Material, Form, Process

Enter a process-led approach to making as Amelia Skelton guides you through the sculptural potential of textiles. Explore construction, deconstruction, patternmaking and assemblage to develop a soft sculpture using found and repurposed materials. Learn about historical and contemporary textile artists and consider ways of engaging conceptually with textiles while responding directly to the qualities of your chosen materials. While acknowledging the medium's rich history, this course encourages an intuitive and experimental approach. Move beyond traditional craft-based practices and discover new possibilities for making.

Through artist case studies, hands-on exercises and material experimentation, Amelia will support you to investigate the creative potential of textiles. Work with found materials and explore how soft surfaces can be transformed into three-dimensional forms. Play, test ideas and take creative risks. Develop new ways of thinking about textiles as a sculptural medium.

As an artist and educator, Amelia creates a welcoming and supportive learning environment. Previous experience with textiles is welcome but not essential. The course offers alternative approaches to working with the material and encourages exploration at all skill levels. More experienced artists can deepen their practice through mentorship, discussion and experimentation.

By the end of the course, students will have developed a stronger understanding of the sculptural and conceptual possibilities of textiles. Learn the basics of sewing machine operation and hand stitching. Build confidence working across disciplines and materials. Equipped with new references, approaches and ways of thinking, students will leave with fresh ideas for expanding their artistic practice.

Course Schedule:
The following is an indicative course schedule only. The content and pace of the sessions may vary in response to the students in the program.

Day 1 – Orientation & Foundations. Introduction in the NAS studio, including materials overview and brief lecture. Short exercise with a variety of materials followed by group discussion and reflection.

Day 2 – Deconstruction and pattern making activity. Focus on understanding the potential of found materials, translation and material play.

Days 3 & 4 – Studio Practice: Studio-based sessions at NAS. Students will consider the discussions and techniques from the first two days and apply them to their own project. Emphasis on experimentation, refinement of techniques, and personal direction.

Day 5 – Resolution & Studio-based final project. Development of a resolved soft sculpture from the week’s studies, concluding with group critique and discussion of works in progress and finished pieces.

* Short courses and weekend workshops are open to students of ages 16 years and over. The NAS Art Club is open to students between 15 - 17 years of age.

* What to bring? Please refer to the list of required materials in the Art Materials field below.

Images 1 & 2 courtesy of the artist:

Amelia Skelton, ‘Shroud: 2010-2019’, 2020, Artist’s own T-shirt, found textiles, wadding, rope, metal eyelets, carabiner, found objects, resin, keyring, inkjet print on cartridge paper. Dimensions Variable.

Amelia Skelton, ‘Assembled Textiles Variation 2’, 2022, Steel, paint, found textiles, sand. 200 x 400 x 80cm

Photo credits: Images 3 & 4 - Volodymyr Kravchenko

Students must supply their own art materials, please refer to the list below.

Students are encouraged to bring second hand materials where possible. There will be a large emphasis on reuse in this course and some secondhand fabrics will be supplied.

• 1 (or more) old item of clothing to deconstruct
• Yarn
• Scissors
• Retractable cutting blade
• Masking tape and sticky tape
• Range of fabric pieces, scraps or offcuts if you have them
• Threads – range of threads e.g. sewing, embroidery, wool etc
• Needles – range of sewing needs of different sizes
• Bottle of PVA glue
• Beads, buttons and sequins – if you have them
• Other materials will depend on individual students’ interests
• Enclosed footwear is essential in all studios on campus.