Tradition and Innovation

Progressing from work that developed with the 2003/2004 AHRB project, Shellard's research increasingly explores inter-relationships of woven textiles with light. Experiments with fluorescent, luminescent and reflective yarns launched investigations across disciplines and empirical trials involved colour, material and projected UV blacklight. Extensive tests with yarn types and counts (thickness to weight ratio) were critical to the development of this new work, as it sought to maximise and develop the effects of fluorescence with subtlety and precision.

While earlier motifs, such as the single (non-repeat) image became a part of the inherent visual language, there was a growing focus on addressing the aesthetic. Proportion, composition and scale were key concerns.

Jennifer Shellard

Research Interests

Light emitting; Minimal textile compositions; Woven textile installations; U.V. activated fluorescent; Digital colour animation; Subjective colour interaction

Current Research

My investigation into qualities and interactions of textiles with light continue to evolve and develop through a range of processes. Research into light responsive materials initially led to the development of installations - assembled structures - which integrated hand woven textiles with concealed U.V. lighting. The effect of the illumination, whilst distinctly visible in the work, harmonised discreetly and provided a soft focus by activating fluorescent elements within the composition, decreasing gradually and with subtlety down the length of the installation.

Hand-woven lengths were tensioned over structures housing the U.V. lights. These were strategically positioned to optimise the effect of the yarns as well as enhancing the incrementally gradating weave structures. This line of enquiry has recently evolved into experiments with strategically positioned digital light projection in which animated fragments of colour very slowly change through a spectrum to interact with the engineered colour compositions of the textile. The effect is intentionally subtle and challenges the viewer's perceptual experience.
As the project continues to evolve, I aim to seek opportunities for collaborations in developing and exhibiting in architectural spaces where ambient lighting can be manipulated, and where the impact of light and colour on the various reactive materials can be precisely manipulated.