Anita Carnell

Leather gilder

©Anita Carnell

©Simon Bratt

Leather embroidery that touches the soul

Anita’s artwork is both luxurious and eco-friendly
She combines traditional craftsmanship with modern design
Her creations pay homage to the timeless art of hand stitching

Anita Carnell spent many years teaching art and working as an antique dealer with her husband before exploring the meaning of 'craft' and 'creativity' through her own artwork. After reaching the peak of her first professional career, she went back to school, earning an MA as a Designer Maker from the University of the Arts London. “When I combined my industry knowledge and university education,” she explains, “it enabled me to create unusual combinations of gilded wires on lamb hide and organic cactus leather using historical embroidery techniques that I learned from the Royal School of Needlework." Anita's distinctive designs reflect the depth of her thoughtful approach: "Each stitch is important in the process of making. What may look simple is actually the product of deep and complex thought.”

Interview

©Anita Carnell

What made you follow this particular path?: The intricate designs and meticulous attention to detail of Japanese textiles struck me as I browsed the Ashmolean Museum exhibit 'Threads of Silk and Gold'. I was prompted to explore new techniques and materials in my own practice.
Do you have an aesthetic reference?: The yohaku-no-bi, a Japanese concept by which the empty space is just as important, if not more important, than the marks I make with the gold. I must empty my mind as part of the creative process in order to accomplish this.
What do you love most about your profession?: The fact that each piece takes months to create, but I never fully appreciate its beauty until it is finished and hung on a wall. Only then does its spirit shine. Additionally, I enjoy working with clients to develop their concepts.
How do you approach your work?: I like to work with my hands in silence, which puts me in a meditative state. I enter the void and let events unfold, without a plan. I believe that an original and genuine work of art is created as a consequence of free-flowing inspiration.

Anita Carnell is a rising star she began her career in 2016