Mad Hatters Tea Party — CAREN GARFEN

mad hatters tea party, 2019

Selected for The Vlieseline Fine Art Textile exhibiton 2019 - UK

shortlisted

In Mad Hatters Tea Party the viewer begins by reading the tiny hand-stitched text found on each of the individual dolls house plates. The words describe how contemporary society views food, with vegetarianism and veganism becoming mainstream, and where supermarkets stock a vast array of plant-based foods. However, as the text continues, one begins to realise that a woman is revealing the heart-breaking experience of a long standing eating disorder that began in her youth. The mirror forms a disturbing distraction, making it difficult to concentrate on the discomforting words.

The Hatter went on in a mournful tone, “It’s always six o’clock now.”A bright idea came into Alice’s head. “Is that the reason so many tea-things are put out here?” she asked.“Yes, that’s it,” said the Hatter with a sigh: “it’s always tea-time.”By L… — The Hatter went on in a mournful tone, “It’s always six o’clock now.”
A bright idea came into Alice’s head. “Is that the reason so many tea-things are put out here?” she asked.
“Yes, that’s it,” said the Hatter with a sigh: “it’s always tea-time.”
By Lewis Carroll

Image 3, Mad Hatters Tea Party, CGarfen.jpg

In-situ at The Knitting & Stitching Show, Alexandra Palace, London

Measurement: 65cm x 65cm x 5cm

Process: Hand stitch

Materials: Textile, silk threads, dolls house accessories, framed mirror

Exhibited in:

Vlieseline Fine Art Textile Award Gallery, The Festival of Quilts, NEC, Birmingham (2019)

Vlieseline Fine Art Textile Award Gallery, The Knitting & Stitching Show, Alexandra Palace, London (2019)

Vlieseline Fine Art Textile Award Gallery, The Knitting & Stitching Show, RDS, Dublin (2019)

Vlieseline Fine Art Textile Award Gallery, The Knitting & Stitching Show, HCC, Harrogate (2019)

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