Hand Embroidered Stainless Steel Tea Strainer & Stand - Entangled Realities (Physical Product)
 
THIS ARTWORK IS CURRENTLY IN AN EXHIBITION AT FOXYARD STUDIO, IPSWICH. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING THIS ITEM EMAIL info@foxyardstudio.art
 
The strainer is made from stainless steel woven wire that has been hand embroidered with cotton embroidery thread.  The product is for decorative purposes only. Black metal display stand included with tea strainer.
 
Over 16 hours to make.
 
The strainer measures approximately 19.5cm (length) by 8cm (width). 
The strainer comes with a display stand but can also be hung on a hook or nail or  laid flat.
Black metal display stand is approximately 25.5cm (height) by 10.5cm (width) by 12.5cm (depth).
The dome mesh of the strainer is decorated with embroidery stitches to create a striped mesh pattern.
The product is delicate and can't be washed. 
 
The artwork celebrates textiles traditions, as well as encouraging the viewer to see textile techniques through a wider lens. The surface of a tea strainer has been embroidered with a bold, vibrant design and this, along with the quirky tea strainer base, draws the viewer in. On closer inspection, the plain weave of the woven metal base peeks through the delicate embroidery stitches, reminding us of traditional counted thread embroidery materials such as Aida. The everyday object is ‘not a tea strainer’ anymore, but an object where the juxtaposition of the traditional embroidery stitches and materials contrasts with the traditional technique of weaving made from an unexpected material. These ‘entangled realities’ challenge the viewer’s perception of what textile techniques and materials are and how they can be used. 
 
(Accessories shown in the image are for scale only and are not included)