Catrin Dudfield of Remnant Black
Above: A selection of Catrin's work...
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you do?
Remnant Black specialises in alternative embroidery inspired by anatomy, vintage medical books and Victoriana.
Illustrative textiles are created using layers of free machine embroidery and print with embellishment in silk velvet; mixed with a dark sense of humour and a vintage soft edge. I create many different products including Beguiling brooches, Cadaverous Cavities, Preposterous Plates and Unexpected Stitcheries. I conceive artwork which explores anatomy and scientific subjects, mixed with a dark sense of humour and a vintage soft edge.
My work is very unique and attracts people with varied backgrounds including medical, artistic, alternative and lovers of quirkiness.
Above: Catrin at her stall
How did Remnant Black start?
I have been very artistic from a small age, always drawing and inventing new ideas for things. My main passion as a teenager was costume, and I managed to get into London College of Fashion to study Costume for Performance. This gave me the best introduction into the world of costume construction and design, where I learnt tailoring, corsetry, print and dye, millinery, and pattern cutting. After I graduated I worked as a costume designer in fringe theatre and as a costume assistant to an international opera designer.
Above: Dark Clown
In 2012 I gave this up to look after my mum who was diagnosed with breast cancer. This gave me time to sit down and look into starting up my own business in creating my textiles in a subject that has always fascinated me. I have since completed many local fairs, getting some fantastic feedback. I hope to expand and come up to London again to get my products to a wider audience and hopefully find some stockists nationwide or even internationally.
Recently I won a local award in Hampshire to have free studio rent for a year to expand and explore new ideas. Most of my work is developed and made in this studio in Leigh Park, Havant, but I also still create and paint in my garden at home in Fareham.
Above: Textile depicting layers of the head.
What are you inspired by?
I do a lot of research through old medical anatomy book, first aid and ambulance books to gain inspiration. I love going up to London and visiting the Wellcome Collection and the Huntarian Museum, as these put on amazing exhibitions delving into the world of science crossing into art and how they inspired and develop each other. These museums also mean I can study anatomy up close, instead of illustrations in books. I also do a lot of research around the market place, seeing what other people are making and pricing their products at and also what is popular at the moment.
Above: Catrin's taxidermy modelling her necklace.
I draw and experiment with free machine embroidery, creating a lot of samples before I create certain products, other just appear from previous items. Like the peel and reveal idea, I layered images of the head to create a dissection of the human head anatomy.
What do you love about being creative?
What I love about being creative is what i get back from it. Creating, designing and making has got me through some really tough spots over the past couple of years, it has kept me focused, motivated and has boosted my confidence receiving positive feedback about my creations.
Above: Had to snap up this cushion at one of the markets!
What will you be bringing to the market?
I love selling in Brighton, Ive had some of the most interesting and inspiring people come to my stall and im really looking forward to the next market in September. I will have lots new products with me including Macabre Medals and Cadaverous Torso Cavities.
My prices vary from an Eccentric card for £5 up to £200 for a limited edition Cadaverous Cavity.
Each product is handmade, using the best quality products and made to a high specification. I only sell products that I am happy to part with, I wouldn't ever make or sell anything that I don't love myself.
Above: Catrin's hand drawn decorative plates.
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Artist: Catrin Dudfield
Website: http://www.remnant-black.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/remnant.black
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RemnantBlack
Location: Fareham
You can next find Catrin trading at our 6th September market at Brighton Unitarian Church, 11-5pm. She is a regular to our markets so please follow us on Facebook for other dates and participating artists.
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Goodbye, untill next time!