Susan Redman

I am a handloom weaver with a love for sustainable natural yarns that I use to make both 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional decorative and functional objects.

Q&A

Artist Statement

When I was given a traditional Swedish floor loom a few years ago, I started upon a weaving journey, and currently I weave full time in my studio and sell my work at textile shows and curated craft events and show work in small galleries. I learned weaving skills at a Swedish weaving school and also more locally alongside experienced weavers. I weave for interiors/ homewares and wearables on my 8 shaft countermarch floor loom, in my studio in Burntisland, Fife, Scotland.

My inspiration comes from the local marine environment and from growing in my plot. I am inspired by Scandinavian textile design and colour palette and also Bauhaus aesthetic, which has informed some of the block designs used in my woven blankets, for example. Exploring and weaving with different kinds of yarns, textures and colours is a constant source of inspiration. I am committed to sustainability and regenerative textile practice.

As a founding member of the newly formed ‘Scotland Fibreshed’, affiliated to the International Fibreshed movement, I am concerned about the kinds of yarn I use, taking care to weave with natural organic yarns where possible and aim to source yarns as locally as possible. I grow flax in my garden plot and more recently I have planted willow and use the bark and stripped willow rods in my most recent work, handloom woven sculptural vessels. These vessels, woven with linen and Japanese paper yarn with willow rods and sometimes dried flax for decorative effect, make a connection between my handloom weaving practice and basket making, and speak to a personal narrative about the cycle of growing, harvesting, processing and making.