Lady Slipper, Blue and White

Ksenia Semirova

Wall Panel
20 x 30 cm

The idea of this piece came to me after getting a few questions about what embroidery technique I'm constantly mentioning. I thought it would be nice to show the original way of ancient pearl embroidery (when pure white cord and pearls or beads meet each other) alongside with what I called "creative interpretation".

The piece shows a variety of embroidery techniques and approaches that often can be found on traditional headpieces or clergy clothes. However, this outcome is not a canon replica. It also includes some visual and technical experiments not inherent to ancient craft.

Lady Slipper Blue and White is a part of the Tropical Garden series.

The project goal is to research a sophisticated nature of the tropical garden through visual experiments with hand embroidery. A tropical garden is full of complex textures, inspiring colors and unexpected combinations. The artwork depicts a personal interpretation of all these notions. The key element of all objects will be a Lady Slipper Orchid that has a complex, or better to say, dual-nature. The flower is a combination of exquisite and attractive petals and dangerous (for some) slipper. It blooms for both to give and to take.

Ksenia Semirova

Website: semirova.com
Instagram: @kseniasemirova

Ksenia Semirova, Hove based embroidery artist, has been honing her skills in embroidery for the part several years. She believes her job is to perform magic. Such a term describes perfectly the outcome got of the manipulating such a plain supplies as threads, beads, tiny plastic or metal pieces, and investigating cultural, historical, environmental, social and political contexts. In uncovering, enhancing, interweaving such notions, and blending with the personal way of seeing, she aims to produce the complex, creative result.

Using a variety of hand embroidery techniques — Luneville, pearl embroidery, goldwork, etc. — Ksenia creates personal artistic outcome through observation and the mix of various contexts. She aims to evoke emotions: from curiosity, that leads to the question “How was it done?”, to happiness. She strongly believes that such craft as embroidery benefits both the creator, through the ability to share the level of artistry, and the audience, that getting truly unique piece of work with part of maker’s personality.

Ksenia’s research and creative process involve a balance between past and present. She is particularly interested in the exploring and experimenting with heritage. She aims to both preserving traditions and seeking alternative contemporary interpretation for ideas discovered in the past. Above all, Ksenia’s goal is reflecting socio-cultural context and visualising personal interpretation of such processes through the craft.