Enjoy..

Five Buddha mandala

Manchester Buddhist Centre Commission

Funded by the Arts Council during 2005 I created flags and banners for the shrine room and outdoor ceremonies for the Five Buddha Mandala. The flags can be seen there at various times during 2006.
Please contact the Buddhist Centre on 0161 834 9232 for details .

“ Consistently beautiful and intriguing designs that deepened my sense of the different qualities of the Buddhas. It became part of my practice to appreciate Rowena’s work and reflect on how her vision tied in with the themes of the year. Her contribution has proved how our communal life and practice at the Centre is enhanced and supported by artistic work of a professional standard." Lalitavira

“The flags were a step up in aesthetic for the Centre shrine decoration. I loved the delicacy of many of the designs. Very inspiring." Mahabodhi.

“Beautiful! Really brought the festivals to life." Jo.

Wildflower Banners ( image above right )

Outdoor banners created for the National Wildflower Centre Liverpool featuring familiar and endangered flower species . Images were drawn and then created in cloth in a series of workshops run by the Artist and the Education Officer from the NWFC with a group of refugee women from Africa. Images were then digitally enhanced and printed.

Passiflora

This new work is a celebration of passionflowers, impossibly beautiful and intricate flowers.

Originally designed for a wedding the pieces can also be displayed individually on a wall or window or even framed. They are made from hand dyed silks and cottons, with some fabrics being sourced in India.

The main technique used is cutwork that enables me to piece together different weights of fabrics to create areas that are almost transparent. I initially start a piece by making a series of drawings, which are then translated into fabric pieces and then work on developing the installation as a whole.

Whilst inherently decorative this work holds many levels of symbolism, the delicate nature of the fabrics represent the fragility of the existence of passionflowers and other species on planet earth including ourselves!

Prices from £ 125 (for individual pieces)
Installation £ 2500

Celebrations

Flags and banners for celebrations

Imagine a banner created just for you or a loved one from brightly coloured cottons or silks for that special celebration, or sets of hand dyed and printed flags with your favourite colours and images for a wedding, birthday, christening or retirement party indoors or out.

Prices start at £150 for a run of flags and £200 for a banner.

I make individualised sets of flags and banners for ceremonies and celebrations (birthdays, weddings, retirement parties) , and to enhance interior and exterior spaces such as loft apartments , offices, and conservatories . Made from natural hand dyed fabrics and individually embroidered , these original products can also be seen as unique gifts or heirloom pieces.

Ties

Silk Ties from £ 30

These are hand dyed , or hand painted or indigo dyed.

I can make ties to order for weddings and celebrations in the colour and design of your choice .

Ties are available from Suzanne Devine , Manchester Craft and Design Centre , Oak Street , Northern Quarter ,Manchester, or direct from the artist.

Wedding Adornment

As a designer and maker of contemporary textiles I create flower arches, decorative flags and corsages to enhance your special day using flowers as vibrant metaphors of life to celebrate the union between two lovers.

Traditionally used in wedding ceremonies, flowers cross all cultures and religions are often said to hold symbolic meanings : the bridal white rose represents eternal love, larkspur first love, ivy signifies fidelity, azaleas speak of romance and bluebells an everlasting constancy .

Created using cutwork, a traditional form of embroidery, on pure silks and cottons with hand dyed insets, these will be 21st century heirloom pieces to treasure.

Bespoke commissions are welcomed for interior or exterior ceremonies and celebrations.

"wildflower"

100% white cotton tea towels with hand appliqué and machine embroidery
Machine washable.

Five different designs, designs may vary slightly as each towel is hand decorated .
Available direct from designer. £12.50 each

Chorlton Ees

A celebration of Manchester’s green spaces.

Using dye, print and stitch on cotton this piece is double layered to create a sense of depth and abundance . The base represents the strength of nature the top layer the delicate balance of species coexisting.

The research for this piece was conducted over several weeks during May and June with daily visits to the Ees, a swathe of woods and open grassland that leads down to the River Mersey in Chorlton. I recorded the wildlife and absorbed the essence through photography and drawing. In any half hour visit I would find several different species from the day before.

The Ees are used for a variety of purposes by the local people including dog walking. cycling, jogging, bird watching, parties, ceremonies , meeting friends. These green spaces are essential for our health and well-being. Away from the hustle and bustle of city life we can renew our spirits and regain a sense of well being .Just as green spaces renew us we need to respect and protect them.

A species that destroys its environment ultimately destroys itself.

Size : Base piece 172/77cms top piece 174/84cms
Materials: Cotton , cotton organdie , silk , appliqué cutwork machine embroidery .
Price : £ 1,000